Objective To systematically evaluate the safety of high dose atorvastatin (80 mg daily) in Chinese patients. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating 80 mg/ d atorvastatin vs. low-dose atorvastatin or placebo or blank were electionically retrieved in date bases of EMbase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, WanFang, CNKI and WeiPu. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5. 2 and Stata 11. 0 software. Results A total of 20 RCTs involving 2282 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed no significant differences betweent the 80 mg/ d atorvastatin group and the control group in the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events (RR 1. 53, 95% CI 0. 85-2. 76, P = 0. 16), hepatic adverse events (RR 1. 53, 95% CI 0. 99 - 2. 36, P = 0. 05), muscular adverse events (RR 1. 51, 95% CI 0. 92 -2. 49, P = 0. 10), serious hepatic injuries ( RR 2. 33,95% CI 0. 88 - 6. 20, P = 0. 09) and serious muscular myopathies (RR 1. 40, 95% CI 0. 46 - 4. 30, P = 0. 56). Subgroup analysis by type of cotrast media used and durations of taking 80 mg/ d atorvastatin showed there were higher risks of gastrointestinal adverse events in the 80 mg/ d group when compared to blank control ( RR 4. 22, 95% CI 1. 11 - 16. 04, P = 0. 03). Conclusions The current evidence shows that 80 mg / d atorvastatin may be relatively safe in terms of adverse events in gastrointestinal tract, liver and muscular system, and relatively has risk in causing severe liver injuries and myopathies. With limited quantity and quality from the RCTs available, more high quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.

Ovarian endometrioma is a common form of endometriosis, which may cause infertility, dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. Although surgery is the treatment of choice for endometriomas, recurrence poses a formidable frustration. This study investigated potential risk factors of endometriomas recurrence, aiming to better understand its pathogenesis. A total of 307 patients with endometriomas were followed up for an average of 28.6 months and the 1-, 2- and 3-year cumulative recurrence rate was 9.5%, 21.9%, and 29.2%, respectively. Twenty-one potential risk factors for endometriomas recurrence were evaluated using Cox's proportional hazards models. Total revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) score was significantly associated with higher recurrence (OR=1.858, 95% CI=1.122-3.075, P=0.016), as well as younger age at surgery (OR=0.953, 95% CI=0.915-0.992, P=0.020). Semiradical surgical treatment was defined as surgical removal of cyst plus hysterectomy with preservation of bilateral or unilateral ovary, and was a significant factor that was associated with lower recurrence than the conservative surgery (OR=0.318, 95% CI=0.107-0.951, P=0.040). Postoperative pregnancy was favorable factors for disease recurrence (OR=0.217, 95% CI=0.102-0.460, P=0.000). The results suggest that endometrioma recurrence is inversely associated with age at surgery and postoperative pregnancy, and may correlate with total rAFS score and conservative surgery method.

OBJECTIVEto investigate the corrosion behavior of Ti-Cu alloy in 0.9%NaCl solution and in acidified 0.9%NaCl solution.

METHODSthe microstructure of Ti-Cu alloys were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical behavior of Ti-Cu alloy in two solutions (namely 0.9%NaCl solution and acidified 0.9%NaCl solution) was tested. Commercial pure Ti and 316L stainless steel were used as control.

RESULTSTi-Cu alloys were composed by α-Ti and Ti(2)Cu intermetallic compound. After 3500 s immersion, the open circuit potential (OCP) values of pure Ti, Ti-5Cu alloy and Ti-10Cu alloy in 0.9% NaCl solution were -188, -181 and -173 mV, respectively. In 0.9% NaCl solution with lactic acid added, the OCP values were -143, -158 and -109 mV, respectively. In potentiodynamic polarization tests, the passive current densities of pure Ti and Ti-5Cu alloys were about 20 µA/cm(2). However, 316L stainless steel experienced pitting corrosion.

CONCLUSIONSit was possible to establish the following relation for their corrosion resistances: pure Ti≈Ti-5Cu > Ti-10Cu > 316L stainless steel. The addition of lactic acid in the solution did not compromise the corrosion resistance of Ti-Cu alloys.

Alloys ; Corrosion ; Dental Alloys ; Materials Testing ; Stainless Steel ; Titanium ; X-Ray Diffraction

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1β) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1β), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Computational Biology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo study the genotype frequencies of peroxisome proliferators-activated -receptors-gamma C161-->T gene and its possible association with the metabolic syndrome and dietary intakes.

METHODSThe PCR-PFLP method was used to detect the polymorphism of PPARgammaC161-->T gene of 224 adults with metabolic syndrome and 224 normal adults in Shanghai. Their physical examinations, dietary investigation and the serum biochemistry were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The genotype frequencies of PPARgamma C161-->T CC, CT and TT were 32.4%, 49.6% and 18.0% respectively, which were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes or allele between the metabolic syndrome group and the control group, and the result was the same between male and female subjects. (2) The levels of body mass index,waist width and hip width were significantly different among three genotypes groups. Subjects of the CT genotype had the highest levels. (3) There was significant difference in the negative correlation with the intake of protein and serum TG levels in the metabolic syndrome group.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested PPARgamma gene C161-->T should be associated with body mass index, waist width and hip width. It might contribute to the heterogeneity in diet response to TG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Causality ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Diet ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the advantages of using the preoperative computer-aided design system (CAD) in total hip replacement (THR).

METHODSFrom March 2002 to September 2005, 182 patients who underwent primary THR were screened and divided into 2 groups randomly. CAD and traditional preoperative templating were used in preoperative planning respectively.

RESULTSIn group using CAD, the migration of the center of acetabulum was smaller, and the discrepancy of the limb length and the abductor force lever arm were fewer. All the differences above were significantly different.

CONCLUSIONSCAD helps remove much of the guesswork during surgery, and the implant can be more precise fitting to the patient. And equal limb lengths and balanced abductor force can be restored more accurately.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible roles of adenosine and the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) in rats.

METHODSForty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A (ABP), B (ABP + theophylline intervention), C (sham) and D (blank control). ABP models were established by injecting Escherichia coli 0157 into the prostate, and those in group B were treated by intraperitoneal injection of theophylline immediately after modeling. At 4 and 14 days, the prostate tissues of the rats were collected for detection of the expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-10 by immunohistochemistry and the concentration of adenosine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSAt 4 and 14 days, the concentrations of adenosine were significantly higher in group A ([48.38 +/- 17.27] and [26.54 +/- 11.22] microg/g) than in C ([0.45 +/- 0.25] and [0.46 +/- 0.29] microg/g) and D ([0.41 +/- 0.23] and [0.43 +/- 0.27] microg/g) (P < 0.05), and so were the expressions of TNF-alpha in A (0.23 +/- 0.08 and 0.21 +/- 0.03) than in C (0.07 +/- 0.03 and 0.07 +/- 0.01) and D (0.07 +/- 0.06 and 0.07 +/- 0.06) (P < 0.05), and those of IL-10 in A (0.13 +/- 0.03 and 0.25 +/- 0.01) than in C (0.07 +/- 0.03 and 0.07 +/- 0.03) and D (0.07 +/- 0.01 and 0.07 +/- 0.02) (P < 0.05). Compared with group A, the rats in group B showed significant increases at 4 and 14 days in the severity of inflammation, concentration of adenosine ([86.64 +/- 32.87] and [51.17 +/- 22.96] microg/g, P < 0.05) and expression of TNF-alpha (0.37 +/- 0.08 and 0.32 +/- 0.06, P < 0.05), but exhibited no remarkable difference in the expression of IL-10 (0.12 +/- 0.06 and 0.15 +/- 0.06, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdenosine may affect the progression of inflammation by regulating the expressions of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-10 in ABP rats through the adenosine receptor signaling pathway.

Adenosine ; physiology ; Animals ; Escherichia coli O157 ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Male ; Prostate ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Theophylline ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Streptomyces coelicolor is the model species among streptomycetes. Until now, proteomic analyses of S. coelicolor have been conducted using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry method, few integral membrane proteins were identified due to the hydrophobic and low-abundance nature of these proteins. In this work, 154 possible inner membrane proteins from S. coelicolor were identified using high pH-proteinase K sample preparation method and multidimensional protein identification technology, among them 44 are integral membrane proteins containing at least one transmembrane domain, most peptides and their corresponding proteins were identified experimentally for the first time.
Bacterial Proteins ; analysis ; Cell Membrane ; chemistry ; Genome, Bacterial ; genetics ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; genetics ; Streptomyces coelicolor ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the results of vagina vasorum lymph node dissection (VLND) and non-vagina vasorum lymph node dissection (NVLND) in patients with gastric cancer after radical operation.

METHODSA total of 759 cases of evaluable patients with gastric cancer, operated from June 1994 to April 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. Of which, 627 cases underwent radical gastrectomy: 215 patients received VLND and 412 cases received NVLND. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, operative complications and survival rate were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe 5- and 10-year overall accumulative survival rates of VLND group and NVLND group were 55.4% and 51.2%, 39.1%and 36.8%, respectively (all P < 0.05). No significant differences in intraoperative blood transfusion (loss), operation time, operative complication rate was found between the two groups. The 5- and 10-year accumulative survival in patients with a tumor of phase N0-N2, T2-T4, Ib-IV in VLND groups were all significant higher than those in NVLND group.

CONCLUSIONSVLND is a safe technique in advanced gastric cancer, it dose not prolong operation time or increase operative complications but improves survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult