Objective To evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function in coronary artery disease (CAD)patients without regional wall motion abnormality by real-time three-dimensional specke tracking imaging(RT3D-STI),and to investigate the value of RT3D-STI in detecting CAD.Methods According on coronary angiography,92 patients without regional wall motion abnormality were divided into two groups:control group(n = 21 ),without coronary artery stenosis;case group (n = 50 ),coronary stenosis group. Two dimensional images and the three-dimensional full volume dynamic images of left ventricle were collected.Routine parameters and end-systolic left ventricular globle longitudinal strain (GLS),globle circumferential strain (GCS),globle area strain (GAS),globle radial strain (GRS)and corresponding strain imaging diastolic index (SI-DI)were aquired,respectively.The parameters by RT3D-STI were analyzed to diagnose coronary artery stenosis.Results Compared with control group,there were no significant difference in routine parameters,GLS,GRS,GAS and GCS(P >0.05 ).Longitudinal SI-DI(L-SI-DI),area SI-DI(A-SI-DI),radial SI-DI (R-SI-DI),circumferential SI-DI (C-SI-DI)in case group were significantly reduced compared with control group (P <0.05).The sensitivity of L-SI-DI,A-SI-DI,R-SI-DI and C-SI-DI were 90.5%,81 .0%,85.7%,81 .0%,and the specificity of them were 82.0%,78.0%,68%,56%, respectively,L-SI-DI was the best in sensitivity and specificity.L-SI-DI,A-SI-DI,R-SI-DI were significantly correlated with Gensini score (r = -0.706,-0.547,-0.410 P < 0.05 ).Conclusions RT3D-STI can quantitatively assess the early changes of left ventricular diastolic function,which has important significance for early diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis.

Objective To study the feasibility of rat models of renal edema based on disease combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency types .Methods Gastric gavage of thyroxine and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were performed to induce a rat model of kidney Yin deficiency edema , and intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were used to establish a rat model of kidney Yang deficiency edema .The 24 h urine protein content , triiodothyronine ( T3 ) , thyroxine ( T4 ) , cyclic adenosine monophosphate ( cAMP ) , cyclic guanosine monophosphate ( cGMP ) , estradiol ( E2 ) and testosterone ( T ) and other indicators were assayed to determine whether the rat models were successfully established .Result The rats of Yin deficiency edema group had clinical presentation such as hyperactivity , hair loss, dry stool, weight loss and temperature rise.Compared with the blank group , T3, T4, cAMP, E2, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , cGMP and T content decreased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly increased , showing significant differences ( P<0.05 for all).The Yang deficiency edema animals displayed reduced activity , diarrhea, decreased body weight and body temperature, and other signs of disease.Compared with the blank group, T3, T4, cAMP, and E2 contents were significantly decreased , cGMP, T, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio decreased , showing significant differences ( P <0.05 for all ) .Conclusions The rat model of renal edema disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency was successfully induced by thyroxine in combination with Adriamycin , and the rat model of renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yang-deficiency is successfully established by administration of hydrocortisone plus Adriamycin .These two rat models demonstrate similar clinical manifestations of human renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency, respectively, therefore, may serve as useful tools for further research on this disease .

BACKGROUND: Poly (lactic-co-glycolic-acid) (PLGA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) composite microspheres may continuously release drug in phosphate buffer solution in vitro.OBJECTIVE: To prepare 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-loaded PLGA/nHA microspheres, and research the effect of nHA on drug loading,encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro materials observation was performed at Laboratory of College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology between February and July 2009.MATERIALS: PLGA was provided by Jinan Daigang Biomaterial Co., Ltd.; nHA by Key Lab for Special Functional Materials,Ministry of Education; 5-Fu by Shanghai Kaiyang Biomaterial Co., Ltd.METHODS: 5-Fu, a water-soluble anti-cancer drug, was used as model drug, and was firstly adsorbed by nHA and coated with biodegradable and blocompatible materials of PLGA so as to prepare PLGA/nHA-5-Fu composite microspheres by a single-emulsion solvent evaporation method (S/O/W). nHA and drug-loaded nHA were analyzed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency as well as in vitro release of microspheres were studied with SEM, laser particle size analyzer, and UV-spectrophotometer.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Interaction between nHA and 5-Fu; drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release of Microspheres RESULTS: FTIR showed that nHA had a strong adsorption with 5-Fu. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of PLGA/nHA-5-Fu composite microspheres were 3.83% and 86.78%, respectively, which were significantly greater than PLGA-5-Fu microspheres. After initial burst, composite microspheres released more slowly than PLGA microspheres alone. At day 27, the cumulative release rate of composite microspheres and PLGA microspheres alone were 84.87% and 99.87%,respectively.CONCLUSION: Because nHA has a strong adsorption with 5-Fu, PLGA/nHA-5-Fu composite microspheres compared to PLGA-5-Fu microspheres alone enhances drug loading and encapsulation efficiency, and has a better drug delivery effect.

Objective:To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab (BEV) plus chemotherapeutic agents as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods:We retrieved randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of BEV plus chemotherapeutic agents as first-line therapy for mCRC from the databases of PubMed (1966 to August 2009), Embase (1974 to August 2009), Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009), China Journal Full Text Database (CJFD, 1994 to August 2009), Chinese Bio-medical Literature Database(CBM, 1978 to August 2009) and Chinese Scientific Journals Full Text Database (CSJD, 1989 to August 2009). Then we evaluated the methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results:Only 6 clinical studies were selected and 2 646 eligible patients were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis showed that BEV plus chemotherapy increased the overall response rate (complete response+partial response) compared with chemotherapy alone. The relative risk was 1.27 (95%CI: 1.00-1.61, P=0.05), and the median survival time and progression-free survival (PFS) were longer. In terms of safety, there was a significant difference in the frequency of grade 3/4 adverse events, grade 3/4 hypertension, adverse events-induced study discontinuation and gastrointestinal perforation between the two groups. The relative risk was 1.12 (95%CI: 1.07-1.61), 4.51 (95%CI: 2.81-7.23), 1.37 (95%CI: 1.16-1.63)and 4.32(95% CI:1.24-15.05), respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the incidence of grade 3/4 bleeding, 60-day all-cause mortality, grade 3/4 proteinuria, grade 3/4 diarrhea, grade 3/4 leukopenia and pulmonary embolism. The relative risk was 1.50(95%CI: 0.87-2.57), 0.71(95%CI: 0.45-1.11), 2.26(95%CI: 0.69-7.33), 1.18(95%CI: 0.99-1.41), 1.17 (95%CI: 0.97-1.42)and 0.84(95%CI: 0.46-1.53), respectively. Conclusion:BEV plus chemotherapeutic agents as first-line the-rapy increases the response rate and prolongs PFS and median survival time of mCRC patients, but results in a higher incidence of any grade 3/4 adverse event, grade 3/4 hypertension and gastrointestinal perforation.

AIM: To develop a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the quantification of zidovudine and to study the pharmacokinetics of two kinds of zidovudine capsules in Chinese healthy volunteers. METHODS :The concentrations of zidovudine in plasma were determined by a validated HPLC method with UV detection. A randomized two-way crossover study was conducted in 18 fasting volunteers to compare plasma pharmacokinetic profile and single-dose tolerability of a new zidovudine capsules. RESULTS: The main pharmacokinetic parameters of two formulations, reference and test capsules, were as follows: cmax were (2 252±s 837) μg·L-1 and (2 300±1 099) μg·L-1; tmax were (0.49±0.19) h and (0.5±0.3) h;t1/2 ke were (0.93±0.19) h and (0.99±0.24) h; AUC0-t were (2 530±452) μg·h·L-1 and (2 467±605) μg·h·L-1;AUC0-∞ were(2 689 ± 414) μg·h·L-1 and (2 583±575) μg·h·L-1. The results of ANOVA and two one-side t test statistical analysis for lg AUC0-t, lg AUC0-∞ and lg cmax showed that two formulations were bioequivalent. CONCLUSION:The method is convenient, sensitive, accurate and reproducible, and could be applied to determining the plasma zidovudine concentration and studying on pharmacokinetics. Two zidovudine capsules are bioequivalent in Chinese healthy volunteers.

Objective:To clone and express the Staphylococcus aureus Efb(extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein) protein in Escherichia coli, to purify the expression product and prepare its functional antibody and to detect the functions of Efb protein for further studies on S.aureus infection.Methods: Efb gene was amplified by PCR using S.aureus NCTC-8325 genome DNA as template and cloned into the recombinant expression vectors pET28a. E.coli BL21(DE3) with the plasmid was induced with IPTG for protein production. The protein was purified by Ni~(2+) affinity chromatography. The function of Efb protein was determined by complement activity assay and inhibition ELISA.The polyclonal antibodies were prepared by immunizing the animals. Results: The purified recombinant Efb was obtained, which could inhibit the CH50 and AH50 effectively. The functional poly-antibodies of Efb were prepared.Conclusion:Efb could inhibit the classical pathway and alternative pathway of complement activation, and the antibodies against to Efb could block the inhibition of the classical pathway of complement activation induced by Efb.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of surgical resection extent and other clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis in patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma.

METHODSThe data of 135 surgically treated patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-seven patients (group A) underwent simple hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy. The other 78 patients (group B) received sub-radical or radical hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy. The impact of surgery extent and other clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis in patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between two groups in the pathological stage, pathologic type, tumor grade, depth of myometrial invasion, vascular tumor emboli, ovary invasion, lymph node metastasis, positive peritoneal cytology and adjuvant therapy (P > 0.05). However, the patients in group A had a significantly shorter operating time (105 vs. 145 min), less estimated blood loss (150 vs. 300 ml) and blood transfusion (0 approximately 600 vs. 0 approximately 1200 ml), and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (12 vs. 13 days) than that in group B (all P < 0.05). The overall rates of post-operative complications were 15.8% in group A versus 26.9% in group B (P > 0.05). The recurrence rate in the group A was 14.0% versus 6.4% in group B (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the five-year survival rate in group A was 76.9% versus 85.8% in group B (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the important risk factors for clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma were deep myometrium invasion, high pathological grade, positive peritoneal cytology and ovarian metastasis, rather than surgical resection extent.

CONCLUSIONSurgery extent is not an important factor affecting the prognosis in patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma, and extended surgery does not improve their survival. Therefore, excessive resection should be avoided in such cases.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Brain ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurons ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

OBJECTIVETo compare the survival of patients with stage IIc or IV epithelial ovarian cancer treated either with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cytoreductive surgery or primary cytoreductive surgery (PCS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODSThe clinical and pathological data of 160 patients with stage IIIc or IV epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed pathologically between 1997 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-two patients were treated with NAC followed by cytoreductive surgery (NAC group) and 118 patients with PCS followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (PCA group).

RESULTSThe overall response rate of NAC group was 69.1%. No significant difference was observed between the NAC group and PCS group in operating time, intra-operative blood loss and units of blood-transfusion (P > 0.05). Optimal cytoreductive surgery was performed in 88.1% of NAC group versus in 71.2% of PCS group (P < 0.05). In those who had optimal cytoreductive surgery, the recurrent rate was 43.2% in NAC group versus 56.0% in PCS group without significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). The disease-free survival and progression-free survival was 7 and 8 months in NAC group, which were significantly shorter than 13 and 18 months in PCS group (P < 0.05), however, the median overall survival (OS) was 34 months in NAC group versus 43 months in PCS group without significant difference (P > 0.05). In the patients with optimal cytoreductive surgery, it was 34 months in NAC group versus 48 months in PCS group without significant difference either between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNeoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by cytoreductive surgery can improve the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery for the patients with stage IIIc or IVepithelial ovarian cancer, but this regimen may neither reduce the recurrent rate nor prolong the survival when compared with the patients treated with primary cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Paclitaxel ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the correlations of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with fibrosis and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) score in pancreatic cancer .Methods Eighteen patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic cancer were per‐formed conventional MR imaging ,DWI examinations .ADCs were measured with region of interest method on a “Single slice” .The wax blocks of 18 patients with pancreatic cancer were received Masson staining and FAP immunohistochemical staining .The correla‐tions of ADC with levels of fibrosis and FAP scores of pancreatic cancer were assessed by Pearson correlation analysis .Results The mild negative correlation between ADC value of cancerous foci and fibrosis was not significant (r= -0 .459 ,P=0 .056) .Significant negative correlation was found between ADC values of moderate and high differentiation cancerous foci and fibrosis (r= -0 .564 ,P=0 .044) .Significant negative correlation was found between ADC value and FAP score (r= -0 .497 , P=0 .036) .Conclusion The negative correlations are found between ADC and fibrosis ,FAP score of pancreatic cancer .DWI will be helpful to infer the pathologi‐cal characteristics .