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.

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 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 cDNA encoding the precursor of cobrotoxin was cloned from the venom gland of the Chinese continental cobra ( Naja naja atra ) by RT-PCR. Its deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed that the mature protein was identical to that identified from the Taiwan cobra ( Naja naja atra ) by protein sequencing technique. The cDNA encoding the mature protein was then subcloned into the expression vector pMAL-P2. The gene of CMl 1, which was formed by ligation of the fragments of the synthetic oligonucleotides, was also cloned into the expression vector pMAL-P2. After induction of IPTG, both of the neurotoxins were overexpressed as soluble fusion proteins which were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The expressed fusion proteins was purified by sepharose 6B-amylose affinity chromatography and DEAE-sepharose FF chromatography. Both of the recombinant proteins achieved after digestion by factor Xa showed the in vivo toxicity.

Objective: The current study was designed to explore the relationship between the epithelial cadherin (E-cd) expression and clinical appearances of salivary tumor. Method: The paraffin embedded tissue specimens were studied immunohistochemically using the ployclone antibody against E-cd and ABC method. The E-cd expression level was determined semiquantatively. The semi-quantitative parameters of E-cd expression were analyzed retrospectively with the clinical information. Result: The E-cd positive expressions were normal (＋ ＋ ) in two cases of normal salivary tissue, 5 cases of benign mixed tumor and paracancerous salivary tissue, 39 cases of of 47 malignant salivary malignancies it was decreased even to no E-cd expression. There was a significant correlation between decreased E-cd expression and preoperative clinical appearances, postoperative survival, recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: The E-cd expression level may be a useful prognostic parameter for salivary malignancies.

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

OBJECTIVETo study the role of baseline risk factors in predicting the onset of diabetes among essential hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to evaluate an ideal therapeutic regime that could reduce the risk factors and risk of onset of diabetes.

METHODSA randomized parallel clinical trial in essential hypertensive patients of grade 1 or 2 was conducted. Two of the three components (1) increased waist circumference and/or BMI; (2) increased triglycerides (TG) and/or decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; (3) impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were present define the MS. The three intervention therapy groups were: indapamide + fosinopril (I + F, n = 151); atenolol + nitrendipine (A + N, n = 160); atenolol + nitrendipine + metformin (A + N + M, n = 152). Each case was followed-up monthly and the dosage of medicine taken be adjusted according to their BP level. The plasma glucose during fasting and two hours after taking 75 g glucose orally was also measured every six months. The new onset of diabetes was diagnosed according to the criteria. OGTT, insulin release test, lipid analysis, body weight and waist circumference were measured again at the last follow-up.

RESULTS(1) The lowering of BP was similar among the three groups (P > 0.05). 23 new diabetes onsets occurred, being 10 in group I + F and 8 in group A + N and 5 in group A + N + M, respectively (P > 0.05); (2) Proportions of patients' risk factors decreased significantly in group A + N or A + N + M, e.g. the proportions of high TG in each group reduced by 14.7% and 9.3% respectively (P < 0.05), the central fat distribution reduced by 16.7% and 15.9% respectively (P < 0.05) and the IGT reduced by 6.6% and 29.6% respectively (P < 0.05). However no changes were found in group I + F; (3) After 1 year and 5 months' follow-up, the proportions of main risk factors (high TG, central fat distribution and IGT) in the three groups were 91%, 96%, 83% and 90%, 88%, 47%, respectively. The difference of IGT was significant between two groups (P < 0.01) and the proportions of having three risk factors were 70% and 31% in the two groups (P < 0.01); (4) I + F group was better than A + N group in reduction of TG and central fat distribution. And A + N + M group improved in all risk factors.

CONCLUSIONSIGT alone or combined with increased TG plus abdominal obesity are the most important risk factors in predicting a new onset of diabetes among essential hypertensive patients with MS. Metformin in combination with atenolol plus nitrendipine can significantly prevent the onset of diabetes as well as improve patients' metabolic abnormality.

Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; prevention & control ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors