Objective To investigate the impact of aging and vascular endothelial function on arterial stiff- ness in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.Methods Patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH,n=75)age-matched healthy subjects(n=30)and young healthy subjects(n=50)were submitted to deter- mination of aortic pulse wave velocity(baPWV)and vascular endothelial function evaluated by flow-mediated dila- tion(FMD).Results baPWV was progresively decreased(ISH:2459.2?436.8 vs elderly healthy:2097.2? 315.7 vs young healthy:1619.7?214.2 cm/s,P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bufalin combined Gefitinib on lung cancer H1975 cells, and to explore its potential mechanisms for anti-tumor.

METHODSThe cytostatic effects of bufalin (1 -100 nmol/L), gefitinib (0.1-20 micromol/L), and bufalin plus gefitinib on H1975 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Their effects on apoptosis of H1975 cells were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Their effects on expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Met signal pathway related proteins in H1975 cells were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSResults of MTT assay showed that gefitinib over 5 micromol/L could inhibit H1975 cells. But combined therapy of bufalin and gefitinib could potently inhibit the growth of H1975 cells. Results of FCM showed the apoptotic rate was 61.64% +/- 5.61% in the bufalin plus gefitinib group, obviously higher than that of the bufalin group (18.34% +/- 3.42%) and the gefitinib group (7.32% +/- 1.08%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed the protein expressions of p-EGFR, p-Met, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in H1975 cells could be markedly down-regulated by bufalin plus gefitinib.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of bufalin and gefitinib potently inhibited the growth of H1975 cells, and induced cell apoptosis. The potential mechanism for anti-tumor might be involved in blocking EGFR-PI3k/Akt pathway.

Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of scalp acupuncture (SA) on the glucose metabolism in different regions of brain in patients with depression by positron emission computed tomography (PET).

METHODSTwelve depressive patients were treated by scalp acupuncture on middle line of vertex (MS5), middle line of forehead (MS1) and bilateral lateral line 1 of forehead (MS2), once a day for six days per week, and received PET detection on different region of brain before and after 6 weeks acupuncture treatment. Semiquantitative analysis was used to compare the average values of radioactive count gotten from various brain regions before and after treatment, which could reflect the condition of glucose metabolism at the brain region detected.

RESULTSSA could increase the glucose metabolism at bilateral frontal lobes, bilateral parietal lobes, right occipital lobe, right caudate nucleus, right cingulated gyrus and left cerebellum and decrease that at right temporal lobe and bilateral thalamus.

CONCLUSIONSA on MS5, MS1 and MS2 in depressive patients could influence the glucose metabolism in various brain regions. It primarily illustrated that the mechanism of SA in treating depression is related with its regulation on cortex-limbic circuitry dysfunction and increase the glucose metabolism in various brain regions.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; metabolism ; Depressive Disorder ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Scalp

OBJECTIVETo summarize the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in post-operative neurosurgical patients.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 7 patients who experienced pulmonary thromboembolism after neurosurgical operations in our department from October 2009 to March 2010.

RESULTSOf these 7 patients, 6 were confirmed with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and 1 was diagnosed according to the clinical manifestations and other diagnostic examinations. All the patients were treated initially with low-dose heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin and then with warfarin. Two patients were implanted with permanent inferior vena cava filters before anticoagulation. One received anticoagulant therapy and died of respiratory failure due to pulmonary embolism on the fourth post-operative day. Six patients were discharged after significant improvement.

CONCLUSIONSMany risk factors may cause PTE peri-operatively. Post-operative CTPA may be indicated. Anticoagulation and other management strategies may be applied to improve the outcome.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the feasibility of endolymphatic visualization and the diagnosis of Meniere's disease by applying intratympanic gadolinium adminstration through the tympanic membrance and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI).To study the relationship between the endolymphatic hydrops visualized by MRI and audio-vestibular functional tests,such as pure tone audiometry (PTA),electrocochleography (EcoG),caloric test and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP).Methods With a three Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit,3D-FLAIR imaging was performed 24 hours after intratympanic gadolinium through the tympanic membrance in 32 patients with clinically diagnosed unilateral Meniere's Disease.We visualized the enhanced imaging of perilymphatic space in bilateral cochlea,vestibular and (or) canal,scoring scala tympani and scala vestibule of bilateral cochlear basal turn respectively and measuring the developing area of bilateral vestibule and the signal intensity ratio (SIR) between the vestibule and the brain stem subjectively.PTA,EcoG,caloric test and VEMP were performed.The relationship between the endolymphatic hydrops visualized by MRI and audio-vestibular functional tests were studied.Results The gadolinium appeared in almost all parts of the perilymph in cochlea,vestibular and (or) canals in all 32 patients' inner ears,so the endolymphatic space was clearly shown on 3D-FLAIR imaging.The scala vestibuli score value between the affected side and the healthy side were statistically significant (Z =4.309,P ＜ 0.05).The developing vestibular area between the affected side and the healthy side [(6.04 ± 2.89) mm2,(8.28 ± 3.04) mm2] were statistically significant (t =3.322,P ＜ 0.05).Abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were significantly correlated with the developing vestibular area of the affected side (F =11.96,P ＜ 0.05).Abnormal electrocochleography were significantly correlated with scala vestibuli score value of cochlear basal turn in the affected side (Z =3.17,P ＜ 0.05).No significant correlation was found between the scala vestibuli score value or the developing vestibular area and caloric test or PTA findings.Conclusions 3D-FLAIR MRI with intratympanic gadolinium injection through the tympanic membrance can discriminate the border between the perilymph and the endolymph and show endolymphatic hydrops.This method may provide radiographic reference for the diagnosis of Meniere's disease.The results of VEMP and electrocochleography might have appropriate correlation with degree of vestibular and cochlear hydrops.

Background: Esophageal cancer is associated with substantial disease burden in China, and data on the economic burden are fundamental for setting priorities in cancer interventions. The medical expenditure for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in China has not been fully quantified. This study aimed to examine the medical expenditure of Chinese patients with esophageal cancer and the associated trends. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in 37 hospitals in 13 provinces/municipalities across China as a part of the Cancer Screening Program of Urban China. For each esophageal cancer patient diagnosed between 2002 and 2011, clinical information and expense data were extracted by using structured questionnaires. All expense data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY; 1 CNY= 0.155 USD) based on the 2011 value and inflated using the year-specific health care consumer price index for China. Results: A total of 14,967 esophageal cancer patients were included in the analysis. It was estimated that the overall average expenditure per patient was 38,666 CNY, and an average annual increase of 6.27％ was observed from 2002 (25,111 CNY) to 2011 (46,124 CNY). The average expenditures were 34,460 CNY for stage Ⅰ, 39,302 CNY for stage Ⅱ, 40,353 CNY for stage Ⅲ, and 37,432 CNY for stage IV diseases (P < 0.01). The expenditure also differed by the therapy type, which was 38,492 CNY for surgery, 27,933 CNY for radiotherapy, and 27,805 CNY for chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Drugs contributed to 45.02％ of the overall expenditure. Conclusions: These conservative estimates suggested that medical expenditures for esophageal cancer in China substantially increased in the last 10 years, treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer costs less than that for advanced cases, and spending on drugs continued to account for a considerable proportion of the overall expenditure.

Purpose To investigate the histopathological diagnosis and follow-up of gastric mucosal biopsy. Methods A detailed histopathological observation was performed on 5 748 gastroscopic biopsies and 3 288 patients were followed up. Results In 5 748 cases of endoscopy biopsy specimens, acute gastritis was rechecked in 125 cases, of which 112 cases were cured or improved (89.6％ ), 10 cases (8.0％ ) had little change, and 3 cases (2.4％) were aggravated. There were 2430 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis, in which 1521 cases were cured/improvement (62.6％ ), 737 cases (30.3％ ) had little change, and 172 cases (7.1％ ) were aggravated. In the 71 cases of special type of gastritis, 23 cases were cured or improved, accounting for 32.3％.42 cases were not changed much, accounting for 59.2％, and 6 cases were aggravated (8.5％ ). About druginduced gastritis/stomach reexamination in 94 cases, 57 cases were cured/improved, accounting for 60.6％, 34(36.3％ ) cases did not change, and 2 cases were aggravated(3.2％ ).183 cases of gastric polyp were reviewed, 165 cases(90.2％ ) were cured / improved, 13 cases (7.1％ ) were not changed and 5 cases (2.7％ ) were aggravated. No neoplasia/ nondysplasia was found in 205 cases, 196(95.6％ ) cases was cured / improved, no change was seen in 6 cases (2.9％ ) and aggravation was seen in 3 cases(1.5％). Indefinite neoplasia/ dysplasia was reexamined in 24 cases, 2 cases (8.3％) were cured/improved, no change was seen in 13 cases (54.2％ ), and aggravation was seen in 9 cases(37.5％).156 cases of intraepithelial neoplasia were retrospectively reviewed, in which138 (88.5％ ) cases were cured or improved, 4(2.6％ ) cases showed no change, and 13(8.3％) cases were aggravated. Conclusion It is of great significance to improve the early diagnosis rate, reduce missed diagnosis rate and misdiagnosis rate of gastric cancer by establishing 11 pathological changes and accompanying lesions.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD).Methods The experiment consisted of two parts.(1)Forty-eight preterm rats were randomly divided into a normoxia group and a hyperoxia group,with 24 rats in each group.The hyperoxia group was exposed to 85%oxygen to establish a BPD model,while the normoxia group was kept in room air at normal pressure.Lung tissue samples were collected on days 1,4,7,and 14 of the experiment.(2)Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells(RLE-6TN)were randomly divided into a normoxia group(cultured in air)and a hyperoxia group(cultured in 95%oxygen),and cell samples were collected 12,24,and 48 hours after hyperoxia exposure.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe alveolarization in preterm rat lungs,and immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-localization of surfactant protein C(SPC)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in preterm rat lung tissue and RLE-6TN cells.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein immunoblotting were used to detect the expression levels of EMT-related mRNA and proteins in preterm rat lung tissue and RLE-6TN cells.Results(1)Compared with the normoxia group,the hyperoxia group showed blocked alveolarization and simplified alveolar structure after 7 days of hyperoxia exposure.Co-localization of SPC and α-SMA was observed in lung tissue,with decreased SPC expression and increased α-SMA expression in the hyperoxia group at 7 and 14 days of hyperoxia exposure compared to the normoxia group.In the hyperoxia group,the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,and N-cadherin were increased,while the mRNA and protein levels of SPC and E-cadherin were decreased at 7 and 14 days of hyperoxia exposure compared to the normoxia group(P<0.05).(2)SPC and α-SMA was observed in RLE-6TN cells,with decreased SPC expression and increased α-SMA expression in the hyperoxia group at 24 and 48 hours of hyperoxia exposure compared to the normoxia group.Compared to the normoxia group,the mRNA and protein levels of SPC and E-cadherin in the hyperoxia group were decreased,while the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,and E-cadherin in the hyperoxia group increased at 48 hours of hyperoxia exposure(P<0.05).Conclusions EMT disrupts the tight connections between alveolar epithelial cells in a preterm rat model of BPD,leading to simplified alveolar structure and abnormal development,and is involved in the development of BPD.

This paper is aimed to study the effect of ADL on expression of β1-AR and M2-AchR in myocardial cells of rats exposed to microwave radiation. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and image analysis were used to detect the expression of β1-AR and M2-AchR in myocardial cells at 7 and 14 d after microwave exposure. The results show that the expression level was higher in microwave exposure group and 0.75 g/(kg•d) ADL group than in sham operation group and significantly lower in 1.5 and 3.0 g/(kg•d) ADL groups than in microwave group. So we have a conclusion that the expression of β1-AR and M2-AchR is down-regulated in myocardial cells of rats exposed to microwave radiation. ADL can protect rats against microwave-induced heart tissue injury.
Animals ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Myocardium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Muscarinic M2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism

Complexes containing cobalt and carbon monoxide ligands, CO releasing molecules (CORMs), have the potential of anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory. In this paper, three hybrid CORMs 1-3 were synthesized and tested for their toxicology in vivo and bioactivities. The results suggest that the complexes have a long half-life in the range of 43-53 min; their oral LD₅₀ to mouse are between 1 500 mg·kg^-1 and 5 000 mg·kg^-1. After the successive administration, complex 1 exhibited a toxic activity in rats' liver, and induced an injury to liver cells. Complex 1 had a strong growth inhibition activity (IC₅₀ 36.20 μmol·L^-1 and 39.25 μmol·L^-1) in both HeLa cells and HepG2 cells, complex 2 displayed a lower activity in the inhibition of HeLa cells proliferation than the control 5-FU (IC₅₀ 114.19 μmol·L^-1), but had a higher activity in the inhibition of HepG2 cells than the control 5-FU (IC₅₀ 171.34 μmol·L^-1). The anti-inflammatory study suggests that all of them reduce intracellular nitrite level, complexes 1 and 2 have a stronger activity than complex 3. Their anti-inflammatory activity attributes to the CO molecules of the CORMs, which was confirmed by comparison with the corresponding ligand.