Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Child ; Humans ; Macrolides ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of adding folic acid, vitamin B(12) and probucol to standard antihypertensive medication on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), serum NO and eNOS of essential hypertensive patients.

METHODA total of 120 patients with hypertension were randomly divided to three groups (n = 40 each): group 1 (standard medication), group 2 (adding folic acid 5 mg/day and vitamin B(12) 500 µg twice daily) and group 3 (adding folic acid 5 mg/day and vitamin B(12) 500 µg twice daily and probucol 500 mg twice daily). Plasma Hcy and ADMA, serum NO and eNOS levels were observed at baseline, 2 and 12 weeks after various therapy.

RESULTSIn group 1, concentrations of plasma Hcy [(23.06 ± 14.15) µmol/L, (23.67 ± 12.31) µmol/L, (23.25 ± 11.64) µmol/L], ADMA [(0.21 ± 0.12) µmol/L, (0.23 ± 0.13) µmol/L, (0.21 ± 0.09) µmol/L] and serum NO [(64.14 ± 15.07) µmol/L, (65.29 ± 15.04) µmol/L, (65.32 ± 13.58) µmol/L], eNOS [(20.02 ± 4.50) µg/L, (20.79 ± 4.03) µg/L, (19.82 ± 5.70) µg/L] remained unchanged during the 12 weeks therapy (all P > 0.05). In group 2, concentrations of plasma Hcy [(12.54 ± 6.49) µmol/L] and ADMA[(0.18 ± 0.07) µmol/L] were significantly decreased after the treatment of 12 weeks than the treatment baseline value [(21.51 ± 7.82) µmol/L, (0.20 ± 0.12) µmol/L] and 2 weeks value[(19.38 ± 8.14) µmol/L, (0.21 ± 0.12) µmol/L], however the concentrations of serum NO and eNOS showed contrary results of the Hcy and ADMA's. (all P < 0.05). In group 3, similar changes occurred at 2 weeks after therapy (P < 0.05 2 weeks vs. baseline and 12 weeks vs. 2 weeks). Plasma ADMA level was positively correlated with Hcy at baseline (r = 0.546, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSupplementation of folic acid, VitB(12) and/or probucol helps to improve endothelial function and reduce plasma Hcy and ADMA levels in patients with hypertension.

Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Female ; Folic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; blood ; Plasma ; metabolism ; Probucol ; therapeutic use ; Vitamin B 12 ; therapeutic use ; Vitamin B Complex ; therapeutic use ; Vitamins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation to remove stasis in treating mycoplasmal pneumonia (MP) in mice.

METHODSOne hundered and thirty-five BALB/C mice were randomly divided into the control group, the MP model groups IF1 and IF2, the Rexithromycin treated groups LH1 and LH2, and the Rexithromycin plus Zhidan Huayu oral liquid treated groups LZ1 and LZ2. The changes of pathologic scoring, graphic analysis and thrombus counting of lung were observed.

RESULTSIn the 3rd day of treatment, the pathologic scores in LH1 and LZ1 were significantly lower and their values of graphic analysis were significantly higher than those in IF1 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively), but with inflammation of lung significantly milder than that in IF1. The difference of therapeutic effect between LH1 and LZ1 was insignificant. In the 4th day of treatment, pathologic scores in LZ2 was significantly lower and value of graphic analysis higher than those in IF2 respectively (P < 0.01), with the improvement better than that of LH2 (P < 0.05). In 3rd and 4th day of treatment, the difference of thrombus counting between the Rexithromycin treated groups and the model groups was insignificant (P > 0.05), but it was significantly lower in the combined treated groups than that in the model groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZhidan Huayu oral liquid could assist Rexithromycin to alleviate the condition of mice with MP, its mechanism may be related with the effect of reducing thrombosis and improving microcirculation.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Roxithromycin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line CNE1-pLVTHM/BART7 with stable ebv-miR-BART7 overexpression.

METHODSThe recombinant lentivirus pLVTHM/BART7 expression plasmid was packaged into mature lentivirus by 293FT cells and used to infect CNE1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed for sorting the GFP(+) cells. The efficiency of ebv-miR-BART7 overexpression was determined using qRT-PCR.

RESULTSThe recombinant lentivirus plasmid pLVTHM/BART7 was successfully constructed and verified by PCR and sequencing. The expression of ebv-miR-BART7 in CNE1 cells infected with the lentivirus pLVTHM/BART7 was significantly increased as compared with the negative control and the blank control cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant lentivirus vector pLVTHM/BART7 results in high and stable expression of ebv-miR-BART7 in infected CNE1 cells, which provides a useful cell model for further studies of the role of ebv-miR-BART7 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Plasmids

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy and risk of long-term administration for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who cannot tolerate the standard treatment.

METHODSForty-six CHC patients who had proven intolerant to standard treatments were treated with low-dose IFN (non-pegylated IFN: 60 to 300MIU QOD, or pegylated IFN: 50 to 90 mug/w) plus ribavirin (RBV; 0.6g to 0.9 g/d) for 72 weeks.

RESULTSForty-three (93.5%) of the patients were able to tolerate the long-term treatment with low-dose IFN plus RBV. Only three patients experienced severe side effects (low white blood cell and platelet counts) that required treatment withdrawal. The virology response rates over treatment time were: rapid virologic response (RVR): 10.9%; early virus response (EVR): 30.4%; 24 week virologic response: 45.7%; and, 48 week virologic response: 47.8%. B-sonographic imaging revealed that three patients experienced improved liver morphology through the treatment course. The patients who achieved RVR, EVR, or 24 weeks virologic response also attained higher 48 week virologic response. The 24 week virologic response had the strongest predictive value of good prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSOur study demonstrated that long-term treatment with low-dose interferon plus ribavirin is effective for patients who are otherwise intolerant to standard treatment. In these patients, low-dose IFN plus RBV can obtain a high virologic response rate at 48 week. Furthermore, the 24 week virologic response is sufficiently predictive of treatment success. As with any treatment regimen, it is important for healthcare workers to monitor the disease status and potential side effects throughout the course of therapy.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the association of the changes of serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins(IGFBPs), body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference ratio(WHR) with the genesis of colorectal cancer.

METHODSSera from 244 colorectal cancer patients before operation, 371 patients after operation and 150 healthy subjects were assayed for insulin, leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SPSS 13.0 statistics software was applied to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe serum levels of insulin, IGF-1 and the ratio of IGF-1/ IGFBP-3 in colorectal cancer patients before and after surgical treatment were significantly higher than those in controls. The serum levels of IGFBP-3 in patients before and after operation were significantly lower than those in controls, and the differences were significant(P=0.015,P=0.001, respectively). The BMI in colorectal carcinoma patients was not significantly different to the healthy controls(P>0.05). The WHR in colorectal carcinoma patients was higher than that in healthy subjects, and the difference was significant(P=0.003, P=0.035 respectively). The WHR in colon cancer patients was different to that in rectal cancer patients(P=0.046). The WHR and BMI in colon carcinoma patients were positively correlated with the serum insulin level and the value of IGF/IGFBP3. The WHR and BMI were negatively correlated with IGFBP3. The WHR and BMI were not correlated with IGF-1 and IGFBP1.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum insulin, IGF-1 levels and the value of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 are significantly increased in colorectal cancer patients, and serum IGFBP-3 level is markedly decreased, which may be related to the genesis of colorectal cancer, but are not correlated with the progress and improvement of colorectal cancer. Central adipositas may be a risk factor for the genesis of colon cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo study the strategy of the treatment for dislocation of cervical vertebra.

METHODSThe clinical data of 39 cases with dislocation of cervical vertebra were analyzed. Among them,29 were male and 10 were female. The average age was 40 years old (range from 6 to 74 years old). Segment of dislocation: 15 cases in C(1,2), 1 case in C(3,4), 9 cases in C(4,5), 9 cases in C(5,6), 5 cases in C(6,7). Spinal injury according to Frankel grade, 9 cases were A grade,8 were B, 5 were C, 8 were D, 8 were E, 1 case had radicular symptom. Thirty-two cases were early and rapidly treated with traction (progressive weight). Seventeen cases were treated with operation.

RESULTSTraction-reduction was successful in 90% of patients. According to Frankel grade, 32 cases averagely improved 0.63 grades. Six cases of severe spinal injury accompany with interlocking of zygopophysis died.

CONCLUSIONInspecting weight of traction is important in rapid traction-reduction for dislocation of cervical vertebra. The choice of surgical treatment depends on the degree of reduction, the result of MRI,the grade of spinal trauma and the status of patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Traction ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the current status and risk factors of "subhealth" in college and university staff in Guangdong province.

METHODSEight thousand four hundred and seventeen staff in 19 colleges and universities in Guangdong were investigated through a self-developed questionnaire, and statistically analyzed using chi(2) test, chi(2)(strand) test and odd ratio. Judgement was based on the criteria on "subhealth" through Delphi method.

RESULTSOverall incidence of "subhealth" was 69.18% in 8,417 staff members, and the highest was in the age group of 30 - 40 year olds (totally 79.17%). The prevalence of severe "subhealth" in females was significantly higher than that of males (chi(2) = 14.19, P < 0.01). The main risk factors of "subhealth" were occupational stress, psychological factors, bad habits and behaviors. 44.21% of the 8,417 staff were aware of the terminology "subhealth", and 36.84% thought themselves under "subhealthy" condition.

CONCLUSIONThe health condition of college and university staff in Guangdong was not satisfactory, thus it was essential to carry out active measures of prevention and intervention among this population.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Universities

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2) in human primary colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and it's prognostic significance.

METHODSThe expression of Pyk2 was retrospectively examined with immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 108 tissues of primary CRC. The correlation of Pyk2 expression to prognosis and relevant clinical factors were analyzed.

RESULTSThe rate of Pyk2 low-expression in CRC was 56.5% (61/108). The expression of Pyk2 correlated significantly to the histological grade (P < 0.05) and the TNM stage (P < 0.05), while no correlation between Pyk2 expression and age, tumor size (P > 0.05). Patients with Pyk2 over-expression had significantly higher 5-year survival rate (66.0%) than those with Pyk2 low-expression (31.4%). Pyk2 expression, together with carcinoma histologic grade and TNM stage were prognostic factors to CRC on the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSPyk2 expression can be a prognostic factor to the CRC patients together with other predictors.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intracellular trafficking pathway of fusion protein epidermal growth factor-adenovirus early region 4 open reading frame 4 protein (EGF-E4orf4) internalized via epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its affectivity on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.

METHODSMDA-MB-231 and BGC823 cells were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-EGF-E4orf4 or EGF at different time points. The specific molecular mark of early endosome or late lysosome was labeled by indirect immunofluorescence, and then colocalization staining was observed using confocal laser microscopy. The levels of ERK phosphorylation were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe fluorescent signal of fusion protein EGF-E4orf4 accumulated within the cells and congregated to the perinuclear region. A nucleus localization of the fusion protein was only at MDA-MB-231 cell. Colocalization of EGF-E4orf4 with early endosome/late lysosome was observed. EGF-E4orf4 stimulated ERK phosphorylation, which was most obvious 10 minutes after stimulation, and then gradually attenuated, which was similar to EGF stimulation but with a less decrease.

CONCLUSIONSInternalized EGF-E4orf4 can be slowly degraded via endosome-lysosome pathway. The action features of EGF-E4orf4 are remarkably different between MDA-MB-231 and BGC823 cells, which may help explain the differences in its anti-tumor potency and in the special selectivity toward different tumor cells.

Adenovirus E4 Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacokinetics ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Viral Proteins ; pharmacokinetics