OBJECTIVETo study the efficiency of Liqi decoction on false intestinal obstruction caused by retroperitoneal hematoma.

METHODSSeventy-five patients were randomly divided into two groups involving Liqi groups and control group. In Liqi group, therer were 45 patients including 28 males and 17 females with an average age of (41.45+/-13.58) years, 32 cases of pelvic fracture, 13 cases of lumber fracture and Liqi decoction were given oral for 2 to 3 days. In control group, there were 30 cases including 19 males and 11 females with an average age of (43.28+/-9.49) years, 24 cases of pelvic fracture, lumber fracture in 6 cases, and 30 cases was fasting and enema, 14 cases were gastrointestinal decompression.

RESULTSAccording to New Chinese Medicine Clinical Research on the Guiding Principles, the efficacy of intestinal obstruction was evaluated, in Liqi group the results were excellent in 25 cases, good in 13, fair in 7, and in control group,excellent in 5, good in 7, fair in 18. The fineness rate were compared between two groups by chi2 test, the difference was significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLiqi decoction is a simple and effective way to treated the retroperitoneal hecatomb caused by pseudo-obstruction.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; drug therapy ; Hematoma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; drug therapy ; Lumbosacral Region ; injuries ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of Pilose antler polypeptide on the glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen in the articular cartilage in experimental knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSTotally 64 New Zealand white rabbits of 6 months old were randomly divided into 2 groups:normal group (n = 8) and model group (n = 56). Model group was surgically induced into osteoarthritis model by method of Hulth. After successful modeling, the rabbits of model group were further divided into 2 groups: Pilose antler polypeptide-treatment group and control group, 24 rabbits in each group. Pilose antler polypeptide-treatment group received 0.5 ml intra-articular injection of Pilose antler polypeptide dilution liquid once in per 2 days for 30 days, while control group received 0.5 ml intra-articular injection of physiological saline. On days 7, 15 and 30 after intervention, articular cartilage samples were collected respectively. The content of glycosaminoglycan in articular cartilage was observed by toluidine blue staining and the expression of type II collagen in cartilage matrix was detected by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSAlong with the prolonging of time, the content of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen in cartilage matrix of the Pilose antler polypeptide-treatment group and control group decreased gradually. On days 7, 15 and 30 after intervention, integrated optical density of the type II collagen positive area in cartilage matrix of the Pilose antler polypeptide-treatment group were (312.06 +/- 14.12), (273.31 +/- 12.42) and (248.34 +/- 10.41), which had statistically significant differences. Integrated optical density of the type II collagen positive area in cartilage matrix of the control group were (253.47 +/- 15.53), (215.67 +/- 9.72) and (160.01 +/- 13.23), which had statistically significant differences. At the same period, integrated optical density of the type II collagen positive area in cartilage matrix of the Pilose antler polypeptide-treatment group was higher than that of control group, which had statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONPilose antler polypeptide can inhibit reduction of the glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen in cartilage matrix and delay the degeneration of articular cartilage.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Peptides ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) detection in risk evaluation of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODSThis study involved 200 patients with established diagnosis of ACS, with death or nonfatal myocardial infarction as the end point of observation during the 6-month-long follow-up. Blood samples were obtained from the patients within the initial 72 h of ACS onset, and the levels of sCD40L and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) measurement was performed using chemiluminescent immunoassay.

RESULTSOf the 200 patients, 108 had serum sCD40L levels higher than 5.0 microg/L, and the levels of sCD40L, CRP and cTnI were found to significantly correlate with ACS.

CONCLUSIONIndependent detection of serum sCD40L, CRP and cTnI can help predict the risks of ACS, and their combined measurement may increase the sensitivity of the risk prediction and provide new cardiac makers to replace the cardiac enzymes for laboratory diagnosis and risk evaluation of cardiovascular events.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; etiology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors ; Troponin I ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the occurrence, prevention and cure prognosis of segment root polsy (especially in C5 palsy) after cervical decompression surgery.

METHODSFrom February 2006 and December 2008,162 patients were operated with cervical decompression through approach for anterior or posterior in our hospital. Among them, 10 cases occurred SRP after operation included 6 males and 4 females aged from 40 to 68 with an average of 53 years old. These cases were treated with dehydration, trophic nerve, hyperbaric oxygenation. The clinical data were retrospective analzed.

RESULTSTen patients were followed up from 8 months to 3 years with an average of 2.4 years. It was observed that all the patients recovered during a period of 4.4 months on average (ranging from 3 weeks to 8 months).

CONCLUSIONSRP(especially in C5 palsy) is one of the common complications of anterior or posterior cervical decompression surgery. SRP is usually the result of various nosogenesis. As there was no effective treatment, conservative treatment is usually adopted with optimistic prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Prognosis ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of microwave radiation on thymocytes in mice at different power densities.

METHODSThe experimental animals were whole-body exposed to microwave radiation with frequency of 2,450 MHz, power density of 1, 5, 15 mW/cm(2) respectively 1 h everyday for 30 days. Then the thymus were taken out after the mice were decapitated. Thymus index, morphological characteristics of thymus were examined. The changes of thymus T-cell subgroups, cell cycle progression in thymocytes and cellular apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSThe body weights of animals in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups [(28.10 +/- 1.46), (27.50 +/- 2.52) g] were lower than that of the control [(31.95 +/- 2.51) g] (P < 0.05). Pathological observation showed dark red piece of nucleus, some nuclei inclined to one side, slight increase in hassall body. The expressions of CD8 in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups (29.14% +/- 1.68%, 29.18% +/- 0.81%) were higher than that in control group (26.95% +/- 1.27%) (P < 0.05). The percentages of G(2) + M phase thymocytes in both radiation groups (12.24% +/- 1.82%, 11.19% +/- 1.36%) were lower than that in control group (14.58% +/- 0.64%) (P < 0.01). Thymocytic apoptosis rates in the three experimental groups (7.18% +/- 0.99%, 10.06% +/- 1.58%, 9.45% +/- 0.92%) were higher than that in control (4.25% +/- 1.63%) (P < 0.01), but the evident difference between 5 mW/cm(2) and 15 mW/cm(2) was not found (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSub-chronic microwave exposure (2 450 MHz, 5, 15 mW/cm(2)) could induce thymocyte apoptosis, cause pathological changes in thymus, and affect cell cycle progression, thus may inhibit the immune function of the animal.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; radiation effects ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hand hygiene (HH) compliance and its influencing factors in order to improve the HH of healthcare workers (HCWs).

METHODSHH compliance of HCWs in randomly sampled departments in our hospital was observed and recorded single-blindly by specially-trained staffs using a uniform method.

RESULTSThe total compliance rate of HH of HCWs was 30.2%, which varied among different departments and posts, and working areas. It was significantly higher in ward doctors than in outpatient physicians (P < 0.01). However, the compliance was not significantly different among nurses in different departments (P > 0.05). The compliance of HH of HCWs after surgical procedures (40.4%) was significantly higher than that before procedures (19.6%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe compliance of HH of HCWs remains low, which is somehow affected by factors such as departments, posts, and treatment modes.

Female ; Guideline Adherence ; statistics & numerical data ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Male ; Personnel, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of photocatalytic nano-TiO₂ on nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice and underlying mechanism.

METHODSNude mice bearing human nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft were randomly divided into six groups: nano-TiO₂ + UV irradiation (with gradient concentration of nano-TiO₂); nano-TiO₂ alone and UV irradiation alone and blank control. The nano-TiO₂ suspension was injected into xenografts, and 24 h after UV light with the wave length of 330 - 400 nm, all the xenografts were removed and sectioned for HE staining. Ultrastructure and apoptosis of tumor cells in the xenografts were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The expression of Caspase-3 was examined immunohistochemical staining and the apoptosis was detected with TUNEL.

RESULTSPathological analysis showed significant inflammatory responses (grade II and III) with local necrosis occurred in tumor tissues after nano-TiO₂ photodynamic therapy, but not in the negative control and blank control. TEM showed the nano-TiO₂ particles entered into the cytoplasm and the nucleus of tumor cells and many tumor cells had morphological changes for apoptosis. Significant positive expression of Caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells were found in the the xenografts with the treatments of nano-TiO₂ + UV irradiation compared to control (P < 0.01), which were enhanced with the increases in nano-TiO₂ concentration (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPhotocatalytic nano-TiO₂ can inhibit the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice by inducing Caspase-3 expression and apoptosis in the tumor cells.

Animals ; Carcinoma ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Photochemotherapy ; Titanium ; therapeutic use ; Transfection ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

To investigate a baculovirus insect cell system for expressing an interferon alpha 2b (IFNa2b)/immunoglobulin G-4 (IgG4) Fc fusion protein, which has long-acting antiviral effects. Human IFNa2b and IgG4 Fc cDNAs were generated by molecular cloning and inserted into a baculovirus shuttle vector, which was then transposed into the DH10 Bac strain to form recombinant Bacmid-IFN/Fc. The Bacmid-IFN/Fc was transfected into High five insect cells, and expression of the IFN/Fc fusion protein was detected by Western blotting and its biological activity was assessed by the cytopathic effect inhibition method. The IFNa2b and IgG4 Fc cDNA fragments were successfully amplified by RT-PCR using human peripheral lymphocytes. After cloning into the baculovirus shuttle vector, pFastBac1, and transforming into DH10 Bac competent cells, screening identified positive clones carrying the recombinant Bacmid-IFN/Fc. A Bacmid-IFN/Fc clone was successfully transfected into the High five insect cells and packaged into the baculovirus for expression of the IFN/Fc fusion protein. Western blotting revealed that the fusion protein expression was specific, and yielded a protein of 45 kD in size. The in vitro antiviral activity of the IFN/Fc fusion protein was 580 IU/mL. A novel IFN/Fc fusion protein was successfully generated using a baculovirus insect cell system, which may prove useful for providing future experimental data for development of a new long-acting interferon to treat chronic viral hepatitis.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; metabolism ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Gene Fusion ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin G ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Insecta ; Interferon-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEDescribe the mental health services provided at different types of general hospitals in Beijing.

METHODSDistribute the "Hospital Mental Health Services Survey" to all 508 hospitals in the 18 Beijing districts; the survey covers information for 2001 on the type of mental health services provided, the characteristics of the service providers, the number and diagnoses of first-visit mental health patients, and the prescription of psychotropic medications.

RESULTS73% (373/508) of the hospitals completed the survey, including 75% (325/436) of the general hospitals. Among the 325 general hospitals, 171 (53%) provided one or more types of mental health services; they had a total of 420 staff members who provide these services, but their educational level was relatively low and mental health training limited. 61 general hospitals had mental health outpatient departments that treated 50% (47,151/93,891) of all first-visit mental health patients seen in all hospitals (including psychiatric hospitals) in the municipality; 90% (42,578/47,151) of these first-visit patients in general hospitals were seen at 18 level-3 hospitals. Among the 44,441 first-visit patients for whom diagnostic information was available, the main diagnoses were neurosis (43%) and depression (30%). 103 of the participating general hospitals prescribed 73% of antidepressant medications prescribed at all hospitals in the municipality and 97% of all fluoxetine (Prozac and others).

CONCLUSIONSGeneral hospitals-particularly level-1 and level-2 general hospitals-need to put more emphasis on mental health services, increase training of staff who provide the services and open relevant departments. Monitoring the development of mental health services in general hospitals and increasing the quality of their mental health services will require periodic assessment of the types and range of mental health services provided and of the diagnostic accuracy and treatment standards of the staff providing these services.

Adult ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; Drug Utilization ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tangshenkang Granule (TG) containing serum on renal mesangial cells' (RMCs) proliferation and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway in the high glucose condition.

METHODSTwelve SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the low dose TG group, the middle dose TG group, the high dose TG group, and the blank control group, 3 in each group. After 7-day gastrogavage via portal vein blood, rats were sacrificed and their serum samples were collected. RMCs were cultured in common rat serum and TG containing serum respectively. The proliferation of mesangial cells was determined by methly thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to determine the optimal TG containing serum concentration. Expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein were determined by real time quantitative PCR and ELISA. Smad2/3 protein expression and phosphorylation were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSTG containing serum at different doses could inhibit high glucose induced RMC cells' proliferation, TGF-β1 over-expression and Smad2/3 phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONTG containing serum could inhibit high glucose induced RMC cells' proliferation, and its mechanism might be possibly associated with inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Mesangial Cells ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism