OBJECTIVETo study the cytotoxicity induced by chrysotile asbestos (CA), rock wool (RW) and wollastonite (WS).

METHODSV79 cells were divided into 4 groups. i.e. CA group, WS group, RW group and control group (200 microl PBS). The exposure concentration of dusts was 100 mg/L, The cell viability was detected by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assays. The technique of scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the change of V79 cells.

RESULTSSiO2 was main constituent for 3 kinds of dusts. In MTT assay, the cell viability of RW and WS groups was 64.8% and 65.7%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (54.5%) of CA group (P < 0.01). In LDH assay, the LDH activity of RW and WS groups [(15.7 +/- 50.9), (12.3 +/- 3.7) U/L, respectively] was significantly lower than that [(20.2 +/- 0.9) U/L] of CA group (P < 0.05). In scanning electron microscopy examination, it was found that the two ends of V79 cells in CA group contained a great deal of fibers remaining bodies, but the V79 cell appearance in RW and WS groups was normal.

CONCLUSIONThe cytotoxicity induced by RW and WS is significantly lower than that induced by CA for V79 cell.

Animals ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Calcium Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line ; drug effects ; Cricetinae ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Mineral Fibers ; toxicity ; Silicates ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at five mental points and moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back on fibromyalgia syndrome (FS).

METHODSSixty-six cases who conformed to the criteria were randomly divided into the treatment group treated with acupuncture at five mental points, moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back and amitriptyline, and the control group treated with amitriptyline. Clinical therapeutic effects were assessed with McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and HAMD depression scale.

RESULTSThe therapeutic effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCombination of acupuncture with cupping therapy is an effective therapy for fibromyalgia syndrome.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Fibromyalgia ; Humans ; Pain Measurement

OBJECTIVETo establish a bcr-abl(+) cell line resistance to nilotinib, and to investigate the possible mechanisms of resistance.

METHODSK562 cells were treated with gradually increasing concentrations of nilotinib to generate resistance cell line K562-RN. The folder of drug-resistance was evaluated by MTT assay. Cells apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, the mRNA level of bcr-abl fusion gene by FISH, and the expression of apoptosis relative gene mRNA and protein (such as bcr-abl, HO-1, mdr1, Bcl-2 and caspase-3) by RQ-PCR and western blot.

RESULTSThe resistant cell line K562-RN was successfully established, with 2.01 fold resistant to nilotinib compared with K562 cell line \[the IC(50) value of nilotinib to K562 and K562-RN were (12.320 ± 1.720) µmol/L and (24.742 ± 2.310) µmol/L, respectively\]. It also had the cross resistance to adriamycin, homoharringtonine, etoposide and imatinib. Treated with different concentrations of nilotinib, cell apoptosis rate of K562-RN was significantly lower than that of K562 cells. The rate of bcr-abl gene positive cells was 92% in K562-RN by FISH assay. The mRNA and protein levels of bcr-abl, HO-1 and mdr1 expression up-regulated in K562-RN cells, while those of caspase-3 expression down-regulated, being significantly statistical difference when compared with K562 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHuman leukemic cell line resistance to nilotinib, K562-RN is established successfully by gradually increasing concentrations of drug. The mechanisms of resistance in K562-RN is probably associated with increasing expression of bcr-abl, HO-1, mdr1 and decreasing expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; drug effects ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the manifestation and diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI imaging in detection of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 161 consecutive HCC patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine HCC patients were classified by pTNM according to the "Pittsburgh criteria". MSCT and MRI findings of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation were evaluated retrospectively in 29 stage II-IVb HCC patients. The recurrence site and relapse interval between liver transplantation and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTSLung tumor recurrence were found in 21 cases, presented as cotton-like lesions in a diameter of 2 - 3 cm, with a clear margin and homogeneous density. Pleural tumor recurrence was detected in 4 cases. Liver tumor recurrence were found in 9 cases, which can be divided into four subtypes: multinodular in 4 cases, diffuse lesion in 2 cases, huge mass in 2 cases, and uninodular in 1 case. Two cases showed tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and portal vein. Lymph node tumor recurrence was found in 9 cases, presented as multiple nodules at hepatic hilum, lesser peritoneal sac, posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or around pancreatic head, and accompanied with merging and necrosis in one case. Bone tumor recurrence were found as osteolytic destruction in 4 cases, and accompanied with adjacent soft-tissue mass in 2 cases. The recurrence sites of the 29 cases were as following: lung (21 cases, 72.4%), liver (9 cases, 31.0%), lymph nodes (9 cases, 31.0%), bone (4 cases, 13.8%) and other sites (3 cases, 10.3%). Lung tumor recurrence was found in all the 10 stage IVb patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation, significantly more frequent than that in stage IVa patients (P = 0.023). After liver transplantation, all 25 patients with stage III approximately IVb HCC developed recurrence within one year, but in the 4 cases with stage II HCC at one year later (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONThe results of our study show that in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation, the lung and pleura are the most frequent site of recurrence, followed by liver, lymph node and bone as the second and third sites. The Stage IVb hepatocellular carcinoma should be regarded as a contradiction for liver transplantation due to rapid recurrence. Tumor recurrence occurs later in stage II HCC than in stage III approximately IVb patients. MSCT and MRI are of significant importance in diagnosis and formulating operation plan in HCC patients with recurrence after liver transplantation.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Pleural Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.

METHODSA total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide). Contrast medium was infused at 6 ml/s, with a total dose of 50 ml. Images were generated by dynamic volume scanning and were processed by 4D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging software. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated. The time to peak, peak contrast enhancement were recorded. The physiological parameters such as body weight and height were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, or BMI between groups. The time to peak of hepatic artery of group A and B was (19.71+/-3.11) s and (20.06+/-3.67) s, and had no significant difference. The maximum peak enhancement of hepatic artery in groups B was higher than that group A (P < 0.05). (2) 4D DSA revealed hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm (n = 2), and hepatic artery mild stenosis (n = 13), moderate stenosis (n = 5), severe stenosis (n = 9) and occlusion (n = 1), segmental moderate and severe stenosis (n = 4), and compensatory circulation with hepatic artery severe stenosis and occlusion (n = 6). hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas (HPAVF, n = 12), donor-recipient hepatic artery mismatch (n = 3). Hepatic arterial branch are decreased and opened in 15 cases and 8 cases.

CONCLUSION320-slice CT hepatic artery images is safe, noninvasive, and accurate technique to evaluate hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Moxibustion ; Osteoporosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Acupuncture Points ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Health Planning Guidelines ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo examine whether the polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet where the altitude is over 4 500 m above sea level.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted including 149 HAPE patients in the construction workers and 160 healthy controls randomly recruited from their co-workers, matching the patients in ethnicity, age, sex, lifestyle, and working conditions. Three polymorphisms of eNOS gene, T-786C in promoter, 894G/T in exon 7, and 27bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 4, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe frequencies of 894T allele and heterozygous G/T of the 894G/T variant were significantly higher in HAPE patients group than in the control group (P=0.0028 and P=0.0047, respectively). However, the frequencies of the T-786C in promoter and the 27bp VNTR in intron 4 were not significantly different between the two groups. Haplotypic analysis revealed that the frequencies of two haplotypes (H3,T-T-b, b indicates 5 repeats of 27 bp VNTR; H6, C-G-a, a indicates 4 repeats of 27 bp VNTR) were significantly higher in HAPE patients (both Pü0.0001). On the contrary, the frequencies of H1 (T-G-b) and H2 (T-G-a) were lower in HAPE patients than in healthy controls (both Pü0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTwo haplotypes (T-T-b and C-G-a) may be strongly associated with susceptibility to HAPE. Compared with the individual alleles of eNOS gene, the interaction of multiple genetic markers within a haplotype may be a major determinant for the susceptibility to HAPE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Primers ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Occupational Diseases ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Edema ; enzymology ; genetics ; Tibet ; Young Adult

Recurrent genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease induced by herpes simplex virus（HSV）， mainly manifested as erythema， papules， vesicles， erosion， and exudation on the skin and mucosal membranes of the genital and anal area， accompanied by burning pain， or tingling. Factors leading to its recurrence are overworking， fever， alcohol consumption， infection， sexual activity， etc. At least 1 in 10 of the 15-49-year-old population are infected with herpes simplex virus-2. There is currently no available method to completely remove the herpes simplex virus and prevent its recurrence， and recurrence seriously affects the quality of life and psychological health of patients. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the recurrence of genital herpes is mostly related to wind， dampness， heat， yin deficiency of liver and kidney， internal injuries due to emotional disorder， and dietary preference. TCM has advantages in reducing its recurrence rate. The lower energizer is closely related to skin diseases， and "lower energizer resembles drainage". Thus， the lower energizer is closely related to water and damp metabolism. Recurrent genital herpes occurs in the lower energizer and belongs to lower energizer diseases， and the fluid metabolism and qi movement in lower energizer are closely related to the occurrence of the disease. Based on thought of "lower energizer resembling drainage" and the clinical characteristics of recurrent genital herpes， this paper considered malfunction of lower energizer as its pathogenesis. Thus， smoothing the lower energizer according to the prevailing circumstances is particularly important and the treatment principle should be dispersing the pathogen from lower energizer without damaging yin. Zhulingtang （Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases） cures the difficulty in urination and thirst with desire to drink by smoothing the lower energizer. Thus， Zhulingtang was selected to treat recurrent genital herpes. This study is expected to provide a new idea for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

AIM To establish a GC-MS method for the simultaneous content determination of sixteen pesticide residues in Lycii Fructus and perform safety assessment.METHODS The analysis was performed on DB-5MS chromatographic column(30 m×0.25 mm,0.25 μm)subjected to the programmed heating,with splitless injection of 1.0 μL dissolved sample at a flowing rate of 1.0 mL/min.Other parameters were as follows:injection port temperature of 250℃,electron impact ionization(EI),electron energy of 70 eV;ion source temperature of 230℃,multi-reaction monitoring mode,and collision gas.of high-purity N2.Pesticide residues with relatively high dietary risk were analyzed and discussed with regard to residue levels,dietary intake risk,risk ranking and cumulative exposure assessment.RESULTS Sixteen pesticides showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.994 4),whose average recoveries were 70%-114%,with the RSDs of less than 2%.The highest average cyfluthrin residue of 0.999 2 mg/kg in Lycii Fructus of production regions and the highest average cypermethrin residue of 0.088 4 mg/kg in Lycii Fructus commodities were both detected.In Lycii Fructus of production regions with chronic hazard index(HI)value of 0.012 9 and acute HI value of 0.065 5 and their commodities with chronic HI of 0.001 2 and acute HI of 0.005 4,the pesticide residue of cypermethrin was the leading cause of chronic and acute dietary risk,and additionally,pyridaben within maximum residue limit(MRL)was the only detectectable highly toxic pesticide among the other most concerning pestcides of deltamethrin,pyridaben,chlorpyrifos,dichlorvos and methidathion.CONCLUSION There exist pesticide residues within MRL values in some samples of Lycii Fructus and the use of cypermethrin should be well-controlled.