Airway Obstruction ; complications ; surgery ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; etiology ; therapy ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To observe the effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy and low-carbohydrate diet therapy on obese patients with food addiction. Methods: Sixty-five eligible patients were randomized into a thread-embedding group of 33 cases and a diet group of 32 cases to respectively receive 12-week treatment. Before treatment, after treatment and at 6-month follow-up, the two groups were observed and compared in terms of body mass (BM), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), body fat rate (BFR), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and Yale food addiction scale version 2.0 (YFAS 2.0). Results: At the end of treatment, there were no significant differences in the general efficacy, and the improvements in BM, BMI, WC, HC, WHR and BFR between the thread-embedding group and diet group (all P>0.05). At follow-up, the thread-embedding group showed more significant improvements in all the aforementioned indicators compared with the diet group except HC (all P<0.05). At the end of treatment and follow-up, BMR and YFSA 2.0 had more significant improvements in the thread-embedding group than in the diet group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint thread-embedding therapy can produce significant efficacy in treating obese patients with food addiction; it can improve the food addiction state and work better in maintaining the efficacy compared with low-carbohydrate diet therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target genes of nude mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft, and to explore its mechanism for treating HCC.

METHODSThe subcutaneous xenograft model was established using HepG2 cells. When the subcutaneous transplanted tumor was formed, naked mice were randomly divided into two groups, the BBP group and the control group. Mice in the BBP group were administered with BBP by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks, while mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks. The body weight and the tumor volume were measured once per week. By the end of medication, the tumor weight was weighed and the tumor inhibition ratio calculated. The apoptosis of the tumor tissue was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B cell lymphoma/eukemina-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK4), cyclinD1 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression levels of signal transducers and transcription activators 3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBBP could inhibit the tumor volume and tumor weight, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Results of TUNEL showed that BBP could significantly induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Results of RT-PCR showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and down-regulate mRNA expression of Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1. Immunohistochemical results showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and inhibit the protein expression of p-STAT3, PCNA, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1.

CONCLUSIONBBP could induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells and inhibit their proliferation by regulating STAT3 pathway.

Animals ; Bile ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Ursidae ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE To have a systematic pathomechanism view of three chest impediment-syndromes of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis syndrome(QDBS),Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis syn-drome (QSBS), Cold Obstruction and Qi Stagnation syndrome(COQS) and further investigate the changed metabolome and related pathways for screening potential biomarkers in rat plasma. METHODS According to clinical pathogeny, three kinds of syndrome models were established to simulate the disease of chest impediment. Plasma metabonomics based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was applied in this research to detected small molecule metabolites for identifyingthe special potential biomarkers of three chest impediment syndromes, respectively. RESULTS Significant metabolic differences were observed between thecontrol group and three syndrome groups. Furthermore, three syndrome groups were distinguished clearly by pattern recognition method.The particular metabolites contributing most to the classification of three chest impediment syndromes were identified. In the QSBS group, the potential biomarkers could include 2-keto-glutaramic acid, L-methionine, L-homocysteic acid, octadecanamide, stearoylglycine,behenic acid,linoleylcarnitine,lysoPC(14:1(9Z)),indoxyl sulfate and cholic acid.In the COQS group, they could be aminoadipic acid, palmitic amide, oleamide, lysoPC(P-16:0), lysoPC(P-18:0), lysoPC(20:2(11Z,14Z)), 9-HETE and tauroursodeoxycholic acid. Moreover, 4-pyridoxic acid, L-palmi-toylcarnitine, lysoPC(20:0), lysoPC (22:5 (4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z)), 3- hydroxyhexadecanoic acid and arachidonic acid could be the potential biomarkers for the QDBS group. CONCLUSION Three chest impediment syndromes have their own potential biomarkers.Each special metabolite has its owndifferent metabolic pathway.Both metabolismof cysteine and methionine,and metabolism of alanine,aspartate and glutamate are the main pathways in regulation of metabolic disorders in QSBS syndrome. Lysine biosynthesis and degradation,fatty acid metabolism,and glycerophospholipid metabolism are the main pathways in regulation of metabolic disorders in COQS syndrome.Arachidonic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism,fatty acid elongation in mitochondria,and vitamin B6 metabolism are the main pathways in regulation of metabolic disorders in QDBS syndrome.These endogenous substances were indicated as the special potential biomarkers for three chest impediment syndromes and worth studying in depth.

OBJECTIVE To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on H2O2-induced hippocampal neurons aging in vitro. METHODS The primary culture hippo-campal neurons(7 d)were randomly placed into six groups:normal control group,H2O2(200 μM)treat-ment group,and H2O2+Rg1(1,5 and 10μM)groups.The neurons were with Rg1(1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1) for 6h. H2O2(200 μmol·L-1) was added to the medium and incubate for 18 h. The Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was performed for ROS production assessment. The LDH release and Hoechst 33258 were performed to examine the neuronal damage and apoptosis. The immunoblot was used to deter-mine the expression of β-Gal,NOX2,p22phox,p47phox,NLRP-1,ASC and Caspase-1 in hippocampal neurons.The ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 released in the supernatant in hippocampal neurons.RESULTS Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)significantly reduced the ROS production, attenuated H2O2-induced neuronal damage and apoptosis (P<0.05, P<0.01). The immunoblot results showed that Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)treatment significantly decreased the expression of β-Gal,NOX2, p22phox,p47phox,NLRP-1,ASC and Caspase-1 in hippocampal neurons(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally, Rg1(5 and 10 μmol·L-1)treatment significantly decreased IL-1β and IL-18 release in the supernatant. CONCLUSION The protective effect of Rg1 in H2O2-induced hippocampal neurons aging may be due to inhibit NOX2-NLRP1 activation.

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy and safety of noninvasive ventilation (NV) for treating children with obstructive sleep apnea.

METHODSTwenty-one children confirmed obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with full-night polysomnography (PSG) or ambulatory screening device were enrolled in the study. The NV treatment was carried out successfully for all cases. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) compliance data were gathered via clinical follow-up examination, telephone interview, or mailed questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Pre- and on-nCPAP parameters were compared with paired t-test. Twenty-one OSAHS children (17 boys, 4 girls) were enrolled into the study. The mean age of the children was 4. 5 years; ranging from 40 days to 11 years.

RESULTSnCPAP pressure was increased from 4 cm H2O by (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) 0.2 cm H2O each time to the treating pressure which was between 4.8 and 16 cm H2O. Before nCPAP treatment, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was (80.8 +/- 45.1)/h, the lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SPO2) 0.557 +/- 0.135 and SPO2 <0.90 time during sleep (42.9 +/- 31.9) %, which were much worse compared to that with nCPAP treatment, the above parameters decreased to (6.7 +/- 12.4)/h, 0.862 +/- 0.082, (1.1 +/- 2.5) % respectively(P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNoninvasive ventilation is a safe and effective treatment for OSAHS children. It is possible to use nCPAP as a short-term treatment or as a long-term treatment at home.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) on the expression of lung neutrophil adhesion molecule CD(11b) in experimental meconium aspiration pneumonia treated with conventional mechanical ventilation under room air or 100% O(2).

METHODSRabbits were randomly allocated to 10 groups (n = 60), 6 of each group. Control or meconium aspiration pneumonia model groups were inhaled with room air or 100% O(2). Six treatment groups were treated with continuous NO inhalation at the doses of 6 x 10(-6), 10 x 10(-6) and 20 x 10(-6), respectively for 12 hours under room air or 100% O(2). The ratio of wet/dry (W/D) lung weight, alveolar septal width (ASW), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lung injury score were measured. The expression of CD(11b) in neutrophils of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected with flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter 12 hours ventilation, the oxygenation was maintained better in treatment groups under different O(2) concentrations than that in model groups. Inflammatory evidence was found in lungs from all the model groups and treatment groups, which was characterized by serious inflammatory cell infiltration in alveolar space and hyaline membrane formation. The lung inflammation was decreased in all groups with nitric oxide inhalation. The ratio of W/D lung weight and ASW among different groups had no significant difference. MPO activities were significantly decreased in groups treated with 10 x 10(-6) and 20 x 10(-6) iNO compared with the model groups [with the concentration of 21% O(2), (1.8 +/- 0.2) U/g vs (4.4 +/- 0.5) U/g and (2.0 +/- 0.1) U/g vs (4.4 +/- 0.5) U/g;with the concentration of 100% O(2), (1.7 +/- 0.4) U/g vs (2.8 +/- 0.5) U/g and (1.4 +/- 0.3) U/g vs (2.8 +/- 0.5) U/g, P < 0.05, respectively]. MPO activities in the 20 x 10(-6) iNO group under 100% O(2) were significantly reduced compared with those under 21%O(2) [(1.4 +/- 0.3) U/g vs (2.0 +/- 0.1) U/g, P < 0.05]. Nitric oxide inhalation with the doses of 10 x 10(-6) and 20 x 10(-6) significantly decreased the expression of CD(11b) (MFI) in neutrophils of the BALF compared with the expressions in model groups without NO treatment (with 21% O(2), 121 +/- 20 vs 392 +/- 204 and 112 +/- 30 vs 392 +/- 204; with 100% O(2), 113 +/- 24 vs 293 +/- 65 and 102 +/- 14 vs 293 +/- 65, P < 0.05, respectively). Under the same iNO dose (10 x 10(-6) or 20 x 10(-6)) no statistic difference was found between groups of different inspired oxygen concentrations (21% and 100%).

CONCLUSIONSInhaled nitric oxide with the doses of 10 x 10(-6) to 20 x 10(-6) could significantly down-regulate the CD(11b) expression in neutrophil of the BALF and reduce the neutrophil sequestration and MPO activity in rabbit lungs, which may decrease the lung inflammation process in meconium aspiration pneumonia.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; CD11b Antigen ; analysis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Meconium ; chemistry ; Neutrophils ; chemistry ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of lymphadenectomy on the relapse and survival of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (OGCT).

METHODSThe clinical data of 102 OGCT cases treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 1980 to June 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. All the data about lymphadenectomy during primary and secondary surgery were collected, and other factors related to prognosis were also collected at the same time. Chi-squared test was applied in the univariate analysis related to relapse of disease. Cox model was applied in multivariate analysis related to relapse and survival of disease.

RESULTSPelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis was not significantly related to prognosis in primary and secondary treated patients. Lymphadenectomy showed no significant impact on disease relapse and survival. In the primary treatment, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, chemotherapy regimen, residual tumor and lymphadenectomy were the significant factors related to the relapse. After being stratified for the chemotherapy regimen, lymphadenectomy was not significantly related to the relapse in bleomycin +etoposide +cisplatin or cisplatin +vincristine +bleomycin regimen group, and lymphadenectomy could prevent relapse in no chemotherapy or other chemotherapy regimen group. In relapsed patients, only residual tumor was significantly related to survival time after relapse.

CONCLUSIONSPelvic lymph node metastasis is not the significant risk factor related to prognosis. Lymphadenectomy may have a beneficial effect on survival, although such effect is not significant. Although lymphadenectomy provides important information for prognosis, they provide little benefit to those patients already requiring chemotherapy based on the original operative findings. Lymphadenectomy should be performed to primary or relapsed patients by an expert surgical team.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Germinoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

METHODSMouse ESCs were incubated in the ESC conditioned medium, and the formation of embryonic bodies (EBs) were induced in bacteriological dishes using high-concentration all-trans retinoic acid (RA). The EBs were seeded on different matrixes (gelatin, fibronectin, and laminin/poly-L-ornithine) to test their impact on neural differentiation of the ESCs using immunofluorescence assay. The effect of laminin/poly-L-ornithine on the growth of neurites was evaluated with fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTSHigh-concentration RA activated and accelerated the differentiation of ESCs toward nestin-positive neural progenitor cells. Fibronectin supplement in the matrix dose-dependently promoted ESC differentiation into neural progenitor cells, while laminin/poly-L-ornithine increased the growth of the neurites and induced the maturation of the differentiated neural cells.

CONCLUSIONECM plays an important role in neural differentiation of mouse ESCs, and application of FN produces the most conspicuous effect during the differentiation of the ESCs into the neural progenitor cells;laminin/poly-L-ornithine is the most effective during their differentiation into neural cells.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Extracellular Matrix ; physiology ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Laminin ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology