Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

0.05).Conclusion The distribution of G990R CASR genotype in PHPT patients is different from healthy women,and R allele is higher in PHPT group.Among PHPT patients,A986S and G990R polymorphisms are associated with serum calcium and ICa levels.Patients with S or G allele have lower levels of serum calcium and ICa.A986S genotype is also associated with serum PTH level and patients with S allele have relatively lower level of PTH.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of extracts of root of kudzu vine on mammary gland and uterus development in rats.

METHOD40 Wistar rats weighting 65-85 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, estrogen group, extracts of root of kudzu vine group of high dose, extracts of root of kudzu vine group of low dose. (10 rats in each group). After having been treated for 7 days, the rats were killed; mammary glands and uterus were removed and weighed. Serum was isolated and kept at 4 degrees C for determination of hormones.

RESULT1. Administration of the root of kudzu vine significantly increased the weigh of mammary gland and uterus in rats. 2. Administration of the root of kudzu vine increased serum FSH, LH, E2 and decreased PRL.

CONCLUSIONExtracts of root of kudzu vine could enhance the weight of mammary gland and uterus growth in rats, which may provide experimental evidence for the development of new drug used for promoting mammary gland and uterus.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prolactin ; blood ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Uterus ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Perfusion ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B on angiogenesis in chronic inflammation and the possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model was used to observe the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B. The vascular index was determined by colorimetry of carminic acid, and angiogenesis was observed by histology method. The interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels in mice serum and in supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in mice serum and in supernatant of U937 cell culture were measured by cytotoxicity bioassay. The mRNA expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha of U937 cell culture was investigated by RT-PCR.

RESULTSOral administration of ginkgolide B 25 and 100 mg x kg(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit the vascular index of murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model with the inhibitory rate of 22.52% and 25.29%, respectively. This result was supported by histological observation. Concomitantly, the IL-1beta levels in mice serums were also significantly decreased with the inhibitory rate of 50.61% and 58.66%; so were the TNF-alpha levels with the inhibitory rate of 28.91% and 52.41%. Ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1) could also reduce both the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contents in the supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by PMA, but the scopes of changes were much different. For IL-1beta the IC50 was 1.93 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), while ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) only decreased the release of TNF-alpha by 25.99%. Furthermore, ginkgolide B at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit TNF-alpha mRNA expression of U937 cells; and at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) could inhibit IL-1beta mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONGinkgolide B was shown to significantly inhibit angiogenesis of the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model, reduce the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in mice serums, and significantly inhibit IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein secretion in supernatants of U937 cell culture. It was suggested that reduction of proangiogenic cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion may contribute to the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B in the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ginkgolides ; Granuloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Platelet Activating Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; U937 Cells ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) in salivary pleomorphic adenoma.Methods The tissue samples were divided into two groups.Twenty samples of salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma tissues and twenty samples of normal parotid gland tissues adjacent to the pleomorphic adenoma were collected.The LOX gene mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Real-time PCR,and the alteration of expression was analysed.The LOX protein expression was then examined by western blotting.Results The salivary gland pleomorphic adenomatissue expressed more LOX gene mRNA and protein than normal salivary gland tissue.Conclusions LOX gene and protein may play a role in the tumorigenesis of salivary pleomorphic adenoma.

Objective To examine the expression of hedgehog signaling pathway zinc finger transcription factor Gli-2 protein in salivary pleomorphic adenoma.Methods The expression of Gli-2 protein in 60 cases of salivary pleomorphic adenoma was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results High expression of Gli-2 protein in pleomorphic adenoma was detected in the nucleus.The expression of Gli2 was strongly positive in 21 cases ( 35％ ),positive in 27 cases ( 45％ ),weakly positive in 6 cases ( 10％ ) and negative in 6 cases( 10％ ).The positive rate of Gli-2 expression was 90％ and the expression strength was 89％.Conclusions The Gli-2 protein in pleomorphic adenoma was up-regulated.The abnormal activation of the pathway may take part in the tumorigenesis of salivary pleomorphic adenoma.

OBJECTIVETo develop a diagnostic model comprising clinical and serum markers for assessing HBV-related liver fibrosis.

METHODS270 chronic hepatitis B patients were randomly allocated to either an estimation group (195 cases) or a validation group (75 cases). Liver biopsies were done and staging of fibrosis was assessed. Twenty-six common clinical and serum markers were analyzed initially in the estimation group to derive a predictive model to discriminate the stages of fibrosis. The model created was then assessed with ROC analysis. It was also applied to the validation group to test its accuracy.

RESULTSAmong 13 variables associated with liver fibrosis selected by univariate analysis, age, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet count (PLT) were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis as independent factors of fibrosis. A fibrosis index constructed from the above four markers was established. In ROC analysis, the AUC was 0.889 for the estimation group and 0.850 for the validation group for discriminating > or =S3 from < or=S2. Using the optimal cutoff score 3.0, the sensitivity of the index was 90.2%, the specificity 76.1%, and the accuracy was 82%. There was a positive linear relationship between the index scores and the fibrosis stages (r = 0.731, P<0.001). The AUC for identifying > or=S2 was 0.873 with sensitivity/specificity of 79%/82%, cutoff score 2.2; The AUC for identifying S4 was 0.872 with sensitivity/specificity of 83%/75%, cutoff score 5.4. There were no significant differences in diagnostic efficacy in the model between the estimation and the validation group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONA model for assessment of liver fibrosis was established with easily accessible markers. It appears to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible, suggesting it could be used to assist or replace liver biopsy to detect dynamic changes of HBV-related liver fibrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forecasting ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEHelicobacter pylori (Hp) infection presents high prevalence in the world, but there are few pediatric assays evaluating antimicrobial treatment using a short regimen of triple therapy. To evaluate the eradication rate and long term therapeutic effect of a triple therapy consisted of omeperazole, clarithromycin (CLA) and amoxycillin (AMO) on Hp infection, the authors explored the alternative therapeutic programs and their effects after first therapeutic failure.

METHODSA total of 192 children with Hp infection were divided into two groups: 157 children were given the triple therapy for one week (CLA group); 35 children were given another triple therapy composed of omeperazole, metronidazole (MET) and AMO for two weeks (MET group). All of the children were followed up for 1 - 36 months after the therapies ended. Twenty-two children in whom Hp was eradicated with CLA triple therapy were followed up for 3 years. The children of the two groups who had therapeutic failure were given re-treatment as follows. CLA triple therapy was given for one week to the children who had failure after MET triple therapy; increased doses of CLA with longer treatment course was given to the children who had failure after CLA triple therapy. A tetra therapy consisted of omeperazole, colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), furazolidone (FUR) and AMO was given to the children in whom the re-treatment failed.

RESULTSThe Hp eradication and ulcer recovery rate of CLA group was 90.4% (142/157) and 96.9% (32/33), respectively; the Hp eradication rate of MET group was 77% (27/35). There was significant difference between eradication rates of the two groups (chi(2) = 4.69, P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of 22 Hp eradicated children treated with CLA triple therapy was 4.5% (1/22) during the 3-year follow-up. The eradication rate of the three re-treatment programs for 29 children was 75% (6/8), 77% (11/15) and 100% (6/6), respectively.

CONCLUSION(1) Omeperazole, CLA and AMO triple therapy for one week was the best to eradicate Hp infection with high eradication rate, few side effects, short period of treatment, good compliance and low recurrence rate. (2) Proper increase of CLA dose and longer therapeutic course may increase the eradication rate. Omeperazole, CBA, FUR and AMO tetra therapeutic program may be used as an alternative treatment in patients who develop resistance to CLA triple therapy.

Adolescent ; Amoxicillin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clarithromycin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Metronidazole ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Omeprazole ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recurrence ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe study was designed to investigate the clinical characteristics and the effects of therapeutic proposal on Kawasaki disease (KD).

METHODSClinical features, diagnosis and treatment for totally 942 patients with KD hospitalized during Jan, 2000 to Dec, 2004 were reviewed. Clinical features of typical and incomplete KD were compared. Also, influential factors for KD resistant to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy were analyzed. Five hundred and ten cases were followed up for analyzing the prognosis of coronary artery lesion (CAL).

RESULTS(1) 774 cases were diagnosed as typical KD, and 168 cases as incomplete KD. The incidence of infants with incomplete KD was higher than that of infants with typical KD (18.5% vs. 10.1%, P < 0.01). As compared with typical KD, the cases of incomplete KD had a long duration of fever before final diagnosis [(7.7 +/- 2.9) d vs. (7.0 +/- 2.4) d, P < 0.01], high hemoglobin level [Hb, (106.6 +/- 13.4) g/L vs. (103.5 +/- 12.3) g/L, P < 0.01], high hematocrit [Hct, (32.0 +/- 4.3)% vs. (31.0 +/- 4.0)%, P < 0.01], and high prevalence of CAL (23.8% vs. 16.8%, P < 0.05), respectively. The occurrence rate and emerging time of clinical manifestations in incomplete KD and in typical KD were presented, respectively: non-exudative conjunctivitis [occurrence rate, 64.9% vs. 93.5%; emerging time, (4.4 +/- 1.4) d vs. (4.0 +/- 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], erythema and cracking of lips [occurrence rate, 50.6% vs. 94.8%; emerging time, (4.9 +/- 1.4) d vs. (4.5 +/- 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], rash [occurrence rate, 35.1% vs. 87.7%; emerging time, (3.9 +/- 1.9) d vs. (3.4 +/- 1.7) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], erythema and edema of extremity [occurrence rate, 26.8% vs. 71.4%; emerging time, (6.7 +/- 1.5) d vs. (5.3 +/- 1.7) d, respectively (P < 0.01)], cervical lymphadenopathy [occurrence rate, 34.5% vs. 68.0%; emerging time, (4.3 +/- 2.5) d vs. (3.6 +/- 2.2) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], strawberry tongue [occurrence rate, 31.0% vs. 59.8%; emerging time, (5.6 +/- 2.2) d vs. (4.9 +/- 1.8) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], membranous desquamation of fingertips [occurrence rate, 34.5% vs. 56.3%; emerging time, (11.7 +/- 3.3) d vs. (10.3 +/- 2.7) d, respectively (P < 0.01)], and desquamation peri-anus [occurrence rate, 42.9% vs. 50.0%; emerging time, (6.7 +/- 2.7) d vs. (6.9 +/- 2.5) d, respectively (P > 0.05)]. Except for peri-anus desquamation, other clinical manifestations in incomplete KD were sporadical as compared to typical KD. (2) Six per cent (51/857) of cases were resistant to the IVIG therapy. As compared to the group responding to IVIG therapy, high prevalence of CAL (31.4% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.05), long fever duration [(10.6 +/- 3.9) d vs. (7.5 +/- 2.3) d, P < 0.01], low Hb level [(99.9 +/- 14.1) g/L vs. (104.3 +/- 12.4) g/L, P < 0.01], low Hct [(30.1 +/- 4.5)% vs. (31.2 +/- 4.0)%, P < 0.05], low platelet [PLT, (256.9 +/- 142.4) x 10(9)/L vs. (309.7 +/- 131.5) x 10(9)/L, P < 0.05], and low albumin level [ALB, (27.8 +/- 8.4) g/L vs. (33.5 +/- 6.7) g/L, P < 0.01] were found in the group resistant to IVIG therapy, respectively. (3) In patients who received IVIG 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg, the recovery rates from CAL were 83.1% and 89.7% (P > 0.05), respectively. The prevalence of CAL in those without CAL in acute and subacute stages was 0.9% and 3.5% (P > 0.05), respectively, during 2 year-follow-up period.

CONCLUSION(1) Infants appeared to have more chances to suffer from incomplete KD. Incomplete KD had high prevalence of CAL. The peri-anus desquamation might be an important clue for early diagnosis of incomplete KD. (2) In acute stage, the influential factors for KD resistance to IVIG therapy included prolonged fever, non-elevated PLT, and persistent decrease in Hb, Hct and ALB levels. (3) Children receiving IVIG 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg had the similar effects on recovery and prevention from CAL within the first two years after KD onset.

Adolescent ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Coronary Aneurysm ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fever ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Immunologic Factors ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome