OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical outcomes rating scale for heart failure (HF) based on patients' report.

METHODSTCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF (TCM-HF-PRO) were evaluated based on 340 HF patients' report from multiple centers. The completion of the investigation was recorded. Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability were used for reliability analysis, and factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of the rating scale. Pearson correlation analysis was then used for criterion validity analysis. Discriminant analysis was used to assess the responsiveness of the scale. All 340 HF patients having complete TCM-HF-PRO data were assigned to the treatment group and the control group by central randomization. The total TCM-HF-PRO scores of the two groups were compared using paired t-test to reflect the longitude responsiveness of the scale before treatment and at week 2 after treatment.

RESULTS(1) The recycling rate of the scale was 100.0%. One of them was not filled completely, which was rejected thereby. So the completion rate was 99.7%. The completion time for TCM-HF-PRO scale ranged 15 to 25 min. (2) The Cronbach's α coefficient of rating scale was 0.903, split-half reliability was 0.844 and 0.849. (3) Confirmatory factor analysis showed that 7 factors and items formed according to maximum load factor basically coincided with the construct of the rating scale, 7 factors accumulated contribution rate was 43.8%. TCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF based on patients' report was relatively better correlated with the Minnesota living with HF questionnaire (r = 0.726, P < 0.01). (4) Discriminant analysis showed that the rating scale correctly classified more than 78.8% of case studies having confirmed initial differential diagnosis by experts. The total scale of the rating scale decreased more in the two group after treatment, with significant difference as compared with before treatment (P < 0.01.

CONCLUSIONTCM clinical outcomes rating scale for HF based on patients' report had good reliability, validity and responsiveness, hence it could be used to assess clinical efficacy for HF patients.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Discriminant Analysis ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Bevacizumab on the tumor growth, proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer xenograft, and the impacts on the VEGF and Sp1 expression.

METHODSGastric cancer xenografts in nude mice were established using SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell line. The nude mice were randomly divided into two groups, Bevacizumab treatment group and PBS group. The tumor sizes were measured for tumor growth curve. The proliferation and angiogenesis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of Ki67 and CD34. TUNEL assay was used for apoptosis evaluation. The expression of VEGF and Sp1 in tumor cells were detected by IHC and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared to the PBS group, the tumor growth decreased significantly (P<0.05), the proliferation of tumor cells and angiogenesis decreased, and apoptosis index increased significantly [(5.3 ± 1.8)% vs. (16.7 ± 6.7)%, P<0.01] in Bevacizumab group. The results of IHC and Western blot demonstrated that the expression of VEGF and the microvessel density (MVD) was decreased (4.0 ± 1.0 vs. 16.3 ± 1.5, P<0.001) in Bevacizumab treatment group. No obvious changes of Sp1 expression were observed in Bevacizumab treatment group.

CONCLUSIONSBevacizumab can inhibit the growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice, decrease the VEGF expression and MVD. However, the compensatory up-regulation of transcription factor Sp1 is not affected by Bevacizumab.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Bevacizumab ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To investigate the influence of diabetes liaisons on the practicing skills of nurses and life quality of patients in neurology department.Methods Diabetes liaisons were established in 2009 in neurology department.40 nurses' practicing skills of diabetes nursing were compared 3 months before with 3 months after the establishment,and 120 diabetes patients' knowledge 3 months before and 112 diabetes patients' knowledge 3 months after the establishment were compared.Results The correct rates of 40 nurses' practicing skills of diabetes nursing in blood sugar monitoring,insulin pen injection and hypoglycemic emergency measures were 70％,75％ and 60％ 3 months before the establishment of diabetes liaisons and 100％,100％,and 100％ 3 months after the establishment of diabetes liaisons.And the differences were statistically significant (x2 =69.83,72.57,60.28,respectively;P ＜0.01).The rates of diabetes patients' knowledge in the field of reasonable diets,drug knowledge,regular exercises,skin care and self management were respectively 76.79％,64.07％,59.82％,58.04％ and 82.14％ 3 months after and 29.17％,20.83％,33.33％,20.00％ and33.33％ 3 months before the establishment.And differences were statistically significant (x2 =44.68,46.28,13.33,27.73,47.64,respectively; P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Diabetes liaisons in the department of neurology can improve nurse' s practicing skills and both nurse' s and patient' s knowledge of diabetes,so as to improve nurse' s nursing quality as well as patient' s life quality.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of 2 available periodontal systems for local delivery of antibiotics.

METHODS26 teeth with moderate to severe periodontitis (PD > or = 4 mm) from 11 patients were selected. The teeth were randomly divided into test group and control group. Periocline (2% minocycline hydrochoride ointment) was applied to the teeth in the test group, while Yakang (local metronidazole) was applied in the control group. The data including clinical indices and microbiological parameters was collected before and on the 7th, 14th day after the therapy.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the mean of each clinical indices and microbiological parameters between the two groups was not different (P > 0.05). But both groups demonstrated significant differences with control after treatment (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two test groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth Periocline and Yakang were effective and secure local delivery drug for treating periodontitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Metronidazole ; therapeutic use ; Minocycline ; therapeutic use ; Ointments ; therapeutic use ; Periodontitis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis on thioacetamide-induced chonic hepatic fibrosis in rats and the effect on the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Caspase-3 in livers.

METHODMale Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into totally seven groups: the normal control group, the model group, LF groups s (400, 200, 100, 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)) and the silymarin positive control group (30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)). The hepatic fibrosis model was induced in the rats through intraperitoneal injection with 3% thioacetamide (TAA) at a dose of 150 mg · kg(-1) body weight twice a week for 12 weeks. During the course, the control group and the model group were orally administered with saline (1 mL · kg(-1) · d(-1)). After the modeling and drug intervention, the pathologic changes and fibrosis in liver tissues were observed by HE staining and Masson's Trichrome staining. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and liver hydroxyproline (HYP) contents were assayed by biochemical process. The serum hyaluronic acid (HA) was assessed by radioimmunoassay. In addition, the protein expressions of liver TGF-β1 and Caspase-3 were examined by immunohistochemical method. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues was examined by quantitative Real-time PCR analysis.

RESULTCompared with the model group, flavonoids can protect the integrity of the structure of liver tissues, significantly reduce the hepatic cell degeneration and necrosis and the proliferation of fibrous tissues, notably reduce the serum AST, ALT, ALP and HA and HYP in hepatic tissues and down-regulate the protein expressions of liver TGF-β1 and Caspase-3 and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues.

CONCLUSIONThe licorice flavonoids can resist the thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and Caspase-3.

Animals ; Caspase 3 ; analysis ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thioacetamide ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDInvasive fungal infections have constituted an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. In this study, a surveillance project was conducted in three different intensive care units of two large tertiary hospitals in China.

METHODSA one-year surveillance project was conducted in two tertiary hospitals which located in northern China and southwest China respectively. Air, surfaces and tap water were sampled twice a month in a central intensive care unit, a bone marrow transplant unit, a neurosurgery intensive care unit and a live transplant department. Environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature and events taking place, for example the present of the visitors, healthcare staff and cleaning crew were also recorded at the time of sampling.

RESULTSThe air fungal load was 91.94 cfu/m(3) and 71.02 cfu/m(3) in the southwest China hospital and the northern China hospital respectively. The five most prevalent fungi collected from air and surfaces were Penicillium spp., Cladospcrium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp. and Saccharomyces spp. in the southwest China hospital, meanwhile Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp. and Cladospcrium spp. in the northern China hospital. The least contaminated department was intensive care units, and the heaviest contaminated department was neurosurgery intensive care unit. Seventy-three percent of all surfaces examined in the northern China hospital and eighty-six percent in the southwest China hospital yielded fungi. Fifty-four percent of water samples from the northern China hospital and forty-nine percent from the southwest China hospital yielded fungi.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggested that the fungus exist in the environment of the hospital including air, surface and water. Air and surface fungal load fluctuated over the year. Air fungal load was lower in winter and higher in summer and autumn, but seldom exceeded acceptable level. The higher values were created during May to August in the northern China hospital and May to June and September to October in the southwest China hospital. A correlation between air fungal load and humidity, as well as personnel was observed.

Air Microbiology ; China ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Hospitals ; Intensive Care Units ; Water Microbiology

The application potential of rep-PCR in typing beer-spoilage isolates was studied. The effects of different factors, including DNA templates and primers, on the quality and reproducibility of fingerprints were investigated. The CTAB protocol was shown to be the feasible method for DNA extraction. Primers BOXA1R and (GTG)5 were used in rep-PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced to identify strains isolated from two breweries. Rep-PCR fingerprint profiles were obtained by using GelCompar II software. Cluster analysis showed that the isolates belonging to Lactobacillus brevis, L. buchneri, L. casei/paracasei, L. plantarum are divided into 2 or 3 subgroups. In addition, the two rep-PCR fingerprint profiles complemented with each other in typing these isolates. Combining the similarity coefficient cut-off (SCC) of species, 9 unknown isolates were identified rapidly by using both fingerprint databases. The results indicate that rep-PCR is a simple, reliable and promising method for rapid identification of beer-spoilager.
Beer ; microbiology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Databases, Genetic ; Lactobacillus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo carry out expert survey for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics of different clinical types of coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSBy using Delphi method, we carried out two rounds of nationwide expert surveys for modern TCM characteristics of syndrome elements and syndrome types of CAD.

RESULTSBased on expert consensus, qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, qi deficiency blood stasis, and intermingled phlegm and blood stasis are common TCM syndromes for different clinical types of CAD. Of them, qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, heat accumulation, cold coagulation, yang deficiency, deficiency of both qi and yang were more often seen in patients with unstable angina than in those with stable angina. Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, and deficiency of both qi and yin were less seen. We could see more excess syndrome and less deficiency syndrome (such as qi deficiency, yin deficiency, etc.) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Qi deficiency, blood stasis, water retention, yang deficiency, phlegm turbidity, yin deficiency, Xin-qi deficiency, and qi deficiency blood stasis induced water retention are the most common TCM syndrome types of CAD heart failure (HF). Blood deficiency, yin deficiency, heat accumulation, deficiency of both Xin and Pi, deficiency of both qi and blood, deficiency of both qi and yin, yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity were more often seen in CAD arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONSTCM syndrome distributions of different clinical types of CAD have common laws and individual characteristics. Results based on the expert consensus supplied evidence and support for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CAD.

Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Unstable ; China ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Coronary Disease ; diagnosis ; Data Collection ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Qi ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis

The study was aimed to investigate the effects of proteasome inhibitor bortezomib on the apoptosis of K562 cells in the presence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and explore its effect on expression of adhesion molecule VCAM-1 of both MSC and K562 cells. The K562 cells were co-cultured in direct contact with MSC, while the control cells were just cultured alone. Bortezomib was administered at a final concentration of 50 nmol/L. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Annexin-V/PI double staining kit. The VCAM-1 gene expression was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that bortezomib could induce apoptosis of K562 cells in a time-dependent manner. K562 cells growing on the layer of MSC demonstrated the similar sensitivity to apoptosis induction of bortezomib. K562 cells which did not express VCAM-1 originally were induced to express VCAM-1 mRNA when co-cultured with MSC. This effect could be abrogated by bortezomib treatment. Furthermore, bortezomib significantly downregulated the VCAM-1 expression of MSC. It is concluded that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib can induce apoptosis of K562 cells even though in presence of the MSC layer.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Proteasome Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of fluorescent 2-deoxyglucose analog, 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), that could be taken up by breast cancer cells highly expressing glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1). The purpose of this study was to clarify if a fluorescent 2-deoxyglucose analog, 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), can be taken up by breast cancer cells highly expressing glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), and to assess whether it can be used as a targeting imaging agent.

METHODSThe expressions of GLUT-1 mRNA and protein in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The difference of GLUT-1 protein expression between breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells was compared by Western blot. Secondly, MDA-MB-231 cells which were grown in 6-well plates were incubated with 2-NBDG, and the result of 2-NBDG uptake was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The difference of 2-NBDG absorption in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was compared by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe results of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed that MDA-MB-231 cells highly expressed GLUT-1. Furthermore, Western blot revealed that GLUT-1 expression of MDA-MB-231 cells (0.946 ± 0.007) was higher than that in the MCF-7 cells (0.833 ± 0.010). Fluorescence microscopic and flow cytometric analysis showed that 2-NBDG was uptaken rapidly by MDA-MB-231 cells. Addition of 50 mmol/L D-glucose to the media with 2-NBDG reduced its uptake by 46.0%. Moreover, flow cytometry indicated that the fluorescence intensity of MDA-MB-231 cells (25.10 ± 0.57) was higher than that of MCF-7 cells (10.12 ± 0.62) when incubated with 2-NBDG for 20 minutes.

CONCLUSIONThe preliminary data clearly demonstrate that 2-NBDG is taken up and accumulated in breast cancer cells that highly express GLUT-1, and may be used as an optical probe for glucose uptake in hypermetabolic malignant cells.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Deoxyglucose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction