Objective To evaluate the protective effects of oral administration of D-methionine tablets on noise-induced hearing loss.Methods A total of 203 volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into two groups:experimental group (n=113)and control group (n=90).The subjects in the experimental group received oral administration of D-methionine tablets(1 500 mg/day)and those in the control group received placebo for 3 days before impulse noise exposure.The routine audiometric evaluation and ABR testing were performed and recor-ded 1 day and 7 days post- noise exposure.The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 11.0.ResuIts The changes of hearing in all participators were observed after noise exposure.The results were as follow:The hearing thresh-olds at three time points were 40.5±9.3,51.7±12.3,44.1±11.4 dB nHL in experimental group and 41.5±8.9,62.4± 13.7,47.6±12.5 dB nHL in control group,respectlvely;the ABR I-V IPLs at three time points were 3.72±0.21 ms, 3.99±0.36 ms,3.82±0.25 ms in experimental group,while 3.71±0.22 ms,4.45±0.37 ms,3.85±0.34 ms in control group,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups.ConcIusion The oral adminis-tration of D-methionine tablets pre noise exposure can protect against noise-induced hearing loss.

Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and treatment data, as well as outcomes of 66patients diagnosed as brucellosis during 1984 to 2010 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-four (51.5%) patients had a history of close contact with sheep or cows infected with brucellosis, eight (12. 1% ) had eaten not-fully-boiled or roasted mutton, three (4. 5% ) had drunk or contacted with contaminated milk, and transmission route was unknown in 21 (31.8%). The most common manifestations were fever ( 97.0%, 64/66 ), loss of appetite and fatigue ( 93. 9%, 62/66 ),sweating (47.0%, 31/66), myalgia and arthralgia (54. 5%, 34/66 ), hepatomegaly (27.3%, 18/66),splenomegaly (37.9%, 25/66), increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (62. 1%, 41/66), and elevated C-reactive protein (65.4%, 34/52). Average interval from onset to diagnosis was 19. 2 weeks. All 66 patients were positive in serum agglutination test for BruceUa, and 28 (42. 4% ) positive in blood or bone marrow culture for Brucella. Sixty-five of 66 patients were treated by standard combined treatment with rifampicin, quinolone, minocycline and streptomycin, with all effective, and only four with mild liver damage in treatment who got better after discontinuing medicines and changing treatment regimen.

Objective To study the inhibition of AP-1 transcription factor activity by Hint1 gene over expression in HepG2 cell lines. Methods The Hintl gene was amplified, and then was inserted into the pcDNA3/HA eukaryotic expression plasmid. The constructed pHA-Hint1 plasmid was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The pHA-Hint1 was transfected into the HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detecte the expression of HA-Hint1. The HepG2 cells were co-transfected with pHA-Hint1 and pAP-1/Luc luciferase reporter. At 36 h after transfection, luciferase assay system was used to detect the AP-1 transcription factor activity. Results The constructed pHA-Hint1 was confirmed by DNA sequencing, pHA-Hint1 gene transduction through lipofectine induced over-expression in HA-Hint1 mRNA (t =3.89, P<0.05) and HA-Hintl protein (t=3. 12, P<0.05). Co-transfection of Hint1 gene inhibits AP-1 luciferase activity. Cotransfection with increased concentration of a pHA-Hint1 plasmid (0 μg/ml, 0. 5 μg/ml, 1.0 μg/ml, 1.5 μg/ml, 2. 0 μg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of AP-1 transcription factor activity. At the concentration of 1.5 μg/ml, and 2.0 μg/ml, the activity inhibition reaches significant difference ( F = 72. 009, P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion Over-expression of Hintl can, at least in part, inhibit the AP-1 transcription factor activity in HepG2 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of oral administration of D-methionine tablets on noise-induced hearing impairment. METHOD: Two hundred and three volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (n= 113) and control group (n=90). The subjects received oral administration of D-methionine tablets in the experimental group and placebo in the control group before noise exposure. Routine audiometric evaluation and ABR testing were performed and recorded before and after noise exposure. The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 11.0. RESULT: There were no differences in auditory threshold and I-V interpeak latency pre-noise exposure (P>0.05), however, there were statistically significant differences between two groups 1 d, 7 d after noise exposure (P<0.01 and P<0.05). In-respective-group, there were statistically significant differences between before and 1 d after noise exposure (P<0.05 and P<0.01), however, no difference was noted between before and 7 d after noise exposure in the experimental group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The protective effects of D-methionine tablets were prominent on the noise-induced hearing impairment. Further studies regarding the optimal time of D-methionine administration will be recommended in the future.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Methionine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultra-thin transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD).Methods The patients(n=240)receiving diagnostic EGD were randomly assigned to 3 groups to undergo ultra-thin trails-nasal EGD(group A,n=82),ultra-thin trans-oral EGD(group B,n=79)and conventional trans-oral EGD(group C,n=79).The blood pressure,pulse rate,arterial oxygen saturation,myocardial oxygen consumption were monitored and recorded before and during the procedure,as well as the operation time.All patients completed a questionnaire after the procedure.Results No significant difference was found in drop of arterial oxygen saturation between three groups.Increases in pulse rate,blood pressure,rate-pressure product in group A were significantly lower than those in group B and C(P＜0.05).Patients in group A experienced the lowest VAS scores of discomfort and nausea during the procedure (P＜0.05).But examination time and insertion time were significantly longer in group A than those in group B and C.With the increase in number of cases,the insertion time for group A decreased gradually.Conclusion Ultra-thin trans-nasal EGD is well tolerated and has fewer hemodynamic effects.It is safe and may be the optimal route of intubation with ultra-thin scopes.

Aim To develop a sensitive,specific and accurate method for quantifying a novel derivate of all-trans-retinoic acid, 4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl retinate (ATPR)in rat tissues to investigate the tissue distribution of ATPR in rats.Methods Sprague-Daw-ley (SD)rats were killed by exsanguination at 2,4,7 h after a single intragastric administration with one dose of ATPR (20 mg·kg-1 )or at 5 min,1 h,5 h after a single intravenous administration with one dose of AT-PR (7 mg·kg-1 ).The concentration of ATPR in the tissues was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)method.Results After the rats were administrated intragastrically, the highest concentration of ATPR was observed in intestine,fol-lowed by liver,spleen and lung,while the distribution in heart,kidney,fat and brain was very little.Howev-er,the highest concentration of ATPR was in liver after given intravenously,followed by spleen and lung,and very low in heart,kidney,intestines,fat and brain. Conclusion The distribution of ATPR is higher in liv-er after administrated both intragastrically and intrave-nously,suggesting the potential anti-proliferation and differentiation inducing effects of ATPR targeting at liv-er cancer.

Objective To explore the expressions and clinical significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR),COOH-terminus tensin-like molecule (CTEN)and epithelial cadherin (E-cad)in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods The expressions of EGFR,CTEN and E-cad in 36 cases of normal lung tissue and 82 cases of NSCLC tissues were observed with immunohistochemical SP method and their correlation with NSCLC invasion,metastasis and prognosis was analyzed.Results The positive rate of EGFR,CTEN and E-cad was 58.5% (48/82),69.5% (57/82)and 28.1% (23/82)in 82 cases of lung cancer,while 13.9% (5/36),0.0% (0/36)and 100% (36/36)in normal tissues;the differences were all significant (P<0.05).EGFR,CTEN and E-cad expressions in NSCLC tissues were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0 .0 5 ).The expressions of EGFR and CTEN were correlated with each other in NSCLC (r=0 .5 3 0 , P<0.001),while the expressions of EGFR and CTEN were correlated with that of E-cad (r=0.499,P<0.001;r=0.333,P=0.001 ).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CTEN expression in NSCLC was an independent prognostic factor (P<0.05 ).Conclusion EGFR,CTEN and E-cad may play a role in the development,invasion and metastasis of NSCLC and have some significance in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC.

The relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) marked by CD105 (CD105-MVD), and that between CD105-MVD and the clinicopathological characteristics of primary pterygium were investigated. The streptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical staining in paraffin-embedded tissues was used to detect the expression of VEGF in 23 cases of primary pterygia and 7 normal conjunctival specimens. The antibody against CD105 was used to display vascular endothelial cells, and MVD was examined by counting the CD105-positive vascular endothelial cells. The correlations of VEGF and CD105-MVD, and those of CD105-MVD and clinicopathological data were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0. The expression of VEGF was significantly increased in epithelia (P=0.000), endothelia and stroma cells (P=0.005) in primary pterygia as compared with normal conjunctivae. The CD105-MVD in pterygia (mean 19.22±6.68) was higher than that in normal conjunctivae (mean 4.00±2.15, P=0.000). MVD in pterygia was significantly associated with the Tan classification (P=0.000) and the VEGF expression level in the stroma (P=0.020), but not with sex (P=0.61), age (P=0.150) or the VEGF expression level in the epithelia (P=0.518). Our results suggest that over-expression of VEGF and high CD105-MVD in primary pterygium may contribute to the progression by increasing angiogenesis and growth of primary pterygium.

Objective To explore the effect of endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients whose estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) was preoperatively negative and turned positive after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods The clinical experimental study was carried out in 97 cases of breast cancer which were divided into endocrine treatment group and control group. The follow-up time ranged from 15 to 60 months. Results In endocrine treatment group, 3 and 5-year disease-free survival were respectively 74.5% (38/51), 60.7% (31/51), and 3 and 5-year overall survival were respectively 80%(41/51), 74. 5% (38/51). In control group, 3 and 5-year disease-free survival were respectively 54.2% (26/46), 41.7%(20/46), and 3 and 5-year overall survival were 60.9%(28/46),50%(23/46),respectively. The corresponding values were significantly higher in endocrine treatment group than in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Remedy endocrine therapy improves the disease-free and overall survival rate in breast cancer patients with the expression of ER and PR turning positive after initial neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of oral administration of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on noise-induced hearing loss. METHOD: Three hundred sixty three volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (n=223) and control group (n=140). The subjects had received oral administration of NAC in the experimental group and placebo in the control group before noise exposure. The routine audiometric evaluation and ABR testing were performed and recorded pre- and post-noise exposure. The statistical analysis was carried out on the data obtained from two groups with SPSS 11.0. RESULT: The hearings of all the participatory were changed after noise exposure, but there were statistically significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION The protective effects of NAC were prominent on the noise-induced hearing loss.
Acetylcysteine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Young Adult