Objective To explore the pathogeny, pathology, ultrasonic and clinical expression of upper extremity deep venous flow obstruction and superior vena cava syndrome. Methods Retrospective analysis and summarize the disease changes of 10 cases in recent 5 years. Results 7 patients of 10 cases were superior vena cava syndrome, in which 4 cases caused by upper right lung malignant tumor, 3 cases caused by upper and media mediastinal malignant tumor. 2 patients of 10 cases were found thrombosis in right subclavian vein caused by duct of artificial pacemaker. The left 1 patient was no reason thrombosis in right axillary vein. Conclusion Ultrasonography combine with color and spectral Dopper image can evaluate the clinical development and therapeutic efficiency, which is a useful and effective non-invasive examination.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes on lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced hepatocyte inflammation of rats and TLR4/p38MAPK signal pathway.

METHODThe hepatocytes of SD rats were cultured and identified in vitro. The medicated serum of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes was prepared. The hepatocytes were treated with soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes. Then Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in cultural supernatants were assayed by ELISA. The expressions of Toll-Like 4 (TLR4), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) and p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTThe rat medicated serum of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes was extracted for 2-3 mL. The purified rat hepatocytes were 1.5 x 10(8)-2.0 x 10(8). The cell viability was above 95% detected by Typan blue staining. The hepatocytes were identified by immumofluorescence assay. The detection of hepatocyte cultural supernatants: compared with that of the control group, IL-6 and TNF-α expression were increased in the LPS group (P < 0.01). While compared with that of the LPS group, the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased after soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes intervention (P < 0.01). The detection of hepatocyte proteins: compared with that of the control group, the protein expressions of p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK and TLR4 were all increased significantly in the LPS group (P < 0.01). Compared with that of the LPS group, the protein expressions of p38MAPK was decreased significantly in SB239063 group and it was also decreased in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group, but with no significant difference. Compared with that of the LPS group, p38MAPK expression was reduced significantly in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group and the SB239063 (p38MAPK pathway inhibitor) group (P < 0.01). TLR4 protein expression was decreased markedly in the soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes group (P < 0.01) but had no difference between the SB239063 group and the LPS group.

CONCLUSIONThe soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes may regulate hepatocyte inflammatory injury of rats through TLR4/p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Using whole cell patch clamp, the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the current L-type calcium channel (I(Ca.L)) were observed in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes under simulated ischemia condition, which was realized through hypoxia, glucose deficiency, high lactic acid and acidosis. The results showed that, under the condition of simulated ischemia, the peak of I(Ca.L) was reduced with maximal activation potential at 0 mV. Administration of Ang II (100 nmol/L) enhanced the peak of I(Ca.L) during ischemia and shifted the maximal activation potential to -10 mV. The possible mechanism of these effects is discussed.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

The experiments were carried out on guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes by using whole-cell patch clamp. The effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on potassium ion channels of acute ischemic myocytes were observed. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed that physiological potassium current, including delayed rectifier potassium current and inward rectifier potassium current were inhibited under the condition of simulated ischemia, and then further inhibited by treatment with Ang II. ATP-sensitive potassium currents were increased under simulated ischemia and were further enhanced by Ang II treatment.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo develop an simple and sensitive method for detecting anti-coronavirus IgG antibodies in bat sera based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

METHODSA commercial ELISA kit for detecting SARS-CoV antibody was modified for detecting coronavirus antibodies in bat serum samples. The second antibody in the kit was replaced with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated protein-A (HRP-SPA) based on the characteristics of binding between Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA) and mammal IgG Fc fragment. The sera of 55 fulvous fruit bats (Rousettus dasymallus) were tested using the SPA-ELISA.

RESULTSThe test results of the positive and negative controls in the kit and the serum samples from convalescent ;patient were consistent with expectation. Coronavirus antibody was detected in 2 out of the 55 bat serum samples. Serum neutralization test confirmed the validity of the SPA-ELISA method.

CONCLUSIONThis SPA-ELISA method is applicable for detecting coronavirus antibody in bat sera.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Chiroptera ; virology ; Coronavirus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood

BACKGROUNDInterleukin-13 (IL-13) has been implicated to be responsible for recruitment of inflammatory cells from the blood to the lung, regulation of matrix metalloproteinase and induction of mucin production and secretion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and investigated its association with common polymorphisms of IL-13 gene in a case-control study.

METHODSWe genotyped 160 cases and 175 control subjects in a local hospital using Mass-Array(TM) Technology Platform then tested the association of four SNPs in IL-13 (rs1295685, rs1800925, rs1881457, rs20541) with COPD, and then determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and controls.

RESULTSAssociation was found between IL-13 gene SNPs (rs20541 and rs1800925) and an increased risk of COPD. By linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, two blocks (rs1881457 and rs1800925; rs20541 and rs1295685) were found. The risk of COPD was found associated with the IL-13 gene polymorphism among southern Chinese Han population. Plasma IL-13 level was increased in COPD patients compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe polymorphism of the IL-13 gene is associated with an increased risk of COPD in southern Chinese Han population. Plasma IL-13 levels were found elevated in patients with COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the xanthones from Tibetan medicine Halenia elliptica and their antioxidant activity.

METHODSColumn chromatography over normal phase silica gel, reversed phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and recrystallization techniques were used to isolate and purify constituents from Halenia elliptica. Infrared spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry were used to identify the structure of compounds. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the content of malondialdehyde product in mice liver cell microsomal induced by ferrous-cysteine.

RESULTSEight xanthones (compound I-VIII) were isolated and identified from the ethyl acetate extract of Halenia elliptica, among which 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone was a novel compound. Compound I, III at 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml could inhibit the production of malondialdehyde in mouse liver microsomes in vitro.

CONCLUSIONEight xanthones were isolated and they have certain antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gentianaceae ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Xanthenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Xanthones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

AIMTo investigate the chemical constituents of the Tibetan herbal medicine Halenia elliptica by guidance of in vivo absorption and distribution of the constituents.

METHODSHPLC with a diode array detector (DAD) and HPLC-MS were used for detecting the constituents of extracts of Halenia elliptica and animal samples. Several kinds of column chromatography were used for the isolation and purification of the main in vivo absorbed and distributed compounds from the extract of Halenia elliptica.

RESULTSSix main components detected in the extracts of the animal samples were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Halenia elliptica.

CONCLUSIONAfter rats were treated with different extracts of Halenia elliplica, low polar components xanthone aglycon of Halenia elliptica were clearly observed in the extracts of liver, lipid, blood, hidney, heart and brain tissue of rats, while the polar components xanthone glycosides were detected in very small amounts in the animal samples. The xanthone glycosides can be decomposed into xanthone aglycons during the digestion, absorption and metabolism procedure. Therefore, the in vivo activity of the xanthone glycosides might be exhibited by their decomposed products. It is an accessibly valuable method to investigate chemical components of herbal medicines under the guidance by detecting in vivo absorption and distribution of chemical components of the herbal medicine extract.

Absorption ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Gentianaceae ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Distribution ; Xanthones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics

BACKGROUNDThis meta-analysis was to determine the association of the cumulative dose of 130/0.4 or 0.42 (hydroxyethyl starch [HES] 130/0.4*) or delta daily fluid balance (i.e., daily fluid balance in HES group over or below control group) with the heterogeneity of risk ratio (RR) for mortality in randomized control trials (RCTs).

METHODSThree databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane) were searched to identify prospective RCTs reporting mortality in adult patients with sepsis to compare HES130/0.4* with crystalloids or albumin. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were used to examine the heterogeneity sources of RR for mortality.

RESULTSA total number of 4408 patients from 11 RCTs were included. The pooled RR showed no significant difference for overall mortality in patients with administration of HES130/0.4* compared with treatment of control fluids (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.90-1.17; P = 0.73). Heterogeneity was moderate across recruited trials (I2 = 34%, P = 0.13). But, a significant variation was demonstrated in subgroup with crystalloids as control fluids (I2 = 42%, P < 0.1). Sensitivity analysis revealed that trials with high risk of bias did not significantly impact the pooled estimates for mortality. Meta-regression analysis also did not determine a dose-effect relationship of HES130/0.4* with mortality (P = 0.298), but suggested daily delta fluid balance being likely associated with mortality in septic patients receiving HES130/130/0.4* (P = 0.079).

CONCLUSIONSInappropriate daily positive fluid balance was likely an important source of heterogeneity in these trials reporting HES130/0.4* associated with excess mortality in septic patients.

Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sepsis ; mortality ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological features of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA) and the principles for clinical managements.

METHODSThirty-five patients with NAs were treated in First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from Oct. 1981 to May 2007. The pathological changes, sites of origin, causes of intraoperative bleeding and the experiences of managements were retrospectively analysed. Using Fish stage: 6 cases were in stage I, 8 cases were in stage II, 17 cases were in stage III, 4 cases were stage IV. Two cases via endoscopic surgery, 2 cases via palatal approach, 19 cases via midfacial degloving approach, 9 cases via lateral rhinotomy approach, 3 cases via craniofacial combined approach.

RESULTSIn nasal cavity and paranasal sinus, the tumor was covered by squamous or columnar epithelium. The tumor extensions such as in pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa were covered by fibrous pseudocapsule. All cases of this series originated in the lateral wall of posterior portion of the nasal cavity. Fifteen of thirty-five cases confidentially originated near sphenopalatine foramen. Large and thick vessels in the pedicle region were the exact sites of serious intraoperative bleeding. Thirty-one cases were totally removed. Four cases were subtotal resected. Visual loss revealed in 6 cases, 4 cases visual acuity improved postoperatively. Three cases revealed postoperative dry eye due to surgical involvement of the sphenopalatine ganglion.

CONCLUSIONSnasopharyngeal angiofibroma is covered by epithelium or pseudo-capsule, it does not infiltrate the surrounding tissue. Dissecting along the surface of tumor might decrease bleeding and facilitate removal of tumor. An ideal surgical management should be done according to actually size and image examination, to the greatest extent keeping normal facial appearance. Attention should be paid to the complications such as visual loss and dry eye.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiofibroma ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult