Animals ; Birds ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Influenza in Birds ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Poultry ; Public Health ; Public Health Administration

Objective:To compare the therapeutic and toxic profile of topotecan given intraperitoneally with intravenously in human ovarian cancer xenografted into athymic nude mice.Methods: Eighty female Balb-c/nu-nu mice were randomized assigned into eight groups (n=10). Xeneografts resulted from intramesentery injection of cultured human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 in athymic mice. Onset of intraperitoneal treatment with either topotecan or cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) was on day 7. Animals scheduled for topotecan i.p. received intraperitoneal application of topotecan (1.5 mg/kg×2, 3.0 mg/kg×2, 6.0 mg/kg×2 or 10.0 mg/kg×1). Animals scheduled for topotecan i.v. received intravenous administration of topotecan (6.0 mg/kg×2 or 10.0 mg/kg×1). Two weeks after drug application animals were killed. Tumor growth inhibition were assessed and compared with untreated mice and cisplatin intraperitoneally administered mice. Acute toxicity was determined by loss of body weight. Cell cycle division and apoptosis after drug administration was determined by flow cytometric analysis.Results: In a panel of ten tumour xenografts, intraperitoneal topotecan was significantly more effective than intravenous administration. The toxicity profile suggested a better tolerability in terms of weight loss after intraperitoneal administration than cisplatin control. Topotecan 10.0 mg/kg i.p. per day (1 day) schedule was an optimal treatment for ovarian cancer and well tolerated by mice with no signs of acute toxicity. Topotecan and cisplatin induce cells G0-G1 arrest and apparent apoptosis. No significant difference among mice treated with topotecan intraperitoneally or intravenously or cisplatin was observed in term of apoptosis and cell cycle perturbation.Conclusion:The results may have implications for the future design of clinical studies on intraperitoneal application of topotecan. It suggests that apoptosis and cell cycle perturbation play an limited role in the mechanism of topotecan administration.

Objective To evaluate therapeutic effects and toxicity of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)treated by combining chemotherapy on ifosfamide(IFO)and vinorelbine(NVB).Methods 107 cases pa- tients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled.IFO was given in a dosage of 1.5g/m~2 on day 1 to 4.and NVB in a dosage of 25mg/m~2 on day 1 and 8.It was repeated every three or four weeks,up to two to four cycles.Results Two patients had complete response and 40 patients had partial response.The overall response rate was 47.7% ,the median survival time 10.3 months,1-year and 2-year survival rate was 42% and 12.3%,respectively.The main toxicity was bone marrow suppression.Conclusion The regimen is effective,sale and tolerable in advanced non- small cell lung cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND:Intermittent negative pressure has been proven to promote the repairing of soft tissue and bone healing, but the effect of negative pressure on the tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has not been reported.
OBJECTIVE:To research the effect of intermittent negative pressure on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and on the biomechanics of tendon grafts.
METHODS:A total of 24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly selected to establish the models of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of autogenous semitendinosus. The hind leg of one side was selected randomly as the negative pressure group, and the joint of the negative pressure side was connected with the micro-negative pressure aspirator through drainage tube and maintained a low-intensity and intermittent negative pressure;the contralateral hind leg was as the control and connected with ordinary drainage tube. Drainage tubes of both sides were removed at the same time after 5 days. At 6 weeks after modeling, the joint fluid was drawn to detect the expression levels of interleukin-1β;femur-ligament-tibia complex was used for tension measurement of tendon graft, and histological observation of tendon-bone interface.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:One rabbit had joint infection, and final y 23 rabbits were included in the study. Tension measurement results showed that maximum load for breakage in negative group pressure was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). Histological observation found that the number of osteoblasts in the negative pressure group was significantly more than that in the control group, and the difference was statistical y significant (P<0.01). Detection of synovial fluid showed that iterleukin-1βcontent in synovial fluid of the negative pressure group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistical y significant (P<0.01). Intermittent negative pressure may play an active role in tendon-bone healing and modeling of tendon graft after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The chemical consitituents from cytotoxic fraction of the Callicarpa nudiflora extract were isolated and purified by a combination of HP-20 macroporous resin, silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. The structures were elucidated on the basis of the spectroscopic data and comparison of their spectroscopic data with reported data. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT assay. The 50% and 70% EtOH elutions of EtOH-extract showed significant cytotoxic activities, leading to the isolation of twelve compounds, which were identified as luteoloside(1), lutedin-4'-O-β-D-glucoside(2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-β-glucoside(3), lutedin-7-O-neohesperidoside(4), rhoifolin (5), luteolin-7, 4'-di-O-glucoside (6), forsythoside B (7), acteoside (8), alyssonoside (9), catalpol(10), nudifloside(11), and leonuride(12). Compounds 3-6, 10 and 12 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 9 was isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that flavonoids 1-6, in various concentrations, showed monolithic proliferation inhibitory activities against Hela, A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 3, 5 and iridoid glycoside 11 possessed higher cytotoxicacivities. In short, flavonoids are the main components of cytotoxic extract from C. nudiflora, while phenylethanoid glycosides are the predominant ingredient but inactive to cancer cell lines. In addition, the minor iridoid glycoside expressed weak cytotoxic activity.
Callicarpa ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytotoxins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects and operative options for the treatment of Forestier disease.

METHODSFrom June 2005 to May 2012, 8 patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease were treated through anterior approach, their clinical data were retrospective analyzed. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 65 to 83 years old with an average of 73 years. Among the patients, osteophytes removal was performed in 3 cases, osteophytes removal with discectomy and fusion was performed in 2 cases, osteophytes removal with corpectomy and fusion was performed in 3 cases. According to Bazaz dysphagia score to assess the improvement of the patients' symptoms before and after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months with the mean of 18.5 months. Seven cases were asymptomatic and 1 case had mild symptom in the last follow-up. Radiographs showed the space enlargement between vertebral body and trachea.

CONCLUSIONIt is effective to treat patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease through surgical method. And the operative options depend on the stability of cervical spine and the neurological symptoms of the patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Male

Withanolide A is a biologically active secondary metabolite occuring in roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. In the present study, adventitious roots from leaf explants of W. somnifera were induced for the production of withanolide-A by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 to obtain hair roots. Hair roots induction rate reached 30%. The withanolide A was determined by HPLC in different hair roots lines and different parts of W. somnifera. The average content of withanolide A in all hair roots lines were 1.96 times as high as that in wild-plant, the concentration of withanolide A in hair roots (1.783 mg x g(-1) dry weight) were 1.51 times as high as the roots of wild W. somnifera (1.180 mg x g(-1) dry weight), respectively. It is possible to obtain withanolide A from hair roots culture of W. somnifera.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withania ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withanolides ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore effectiveness and safety of segmental anterior cervical decompression in treating multi-level cervical myelopathy.

METHODSTwenty-four patients with four levels of cervical myelopathy were treated with segmental anterior cervical decompression (reservation of middle vertebrae, bone graft and plate-screws fixation). Among patients, there were 15 males and 9 females aged from 47 to 75 (averaged 57.9) years old. Preoperative, postoperative at 1 week and the latest following-up AP and lateral X-rays were used to observe bone union, displacement of implant, adjacent segment degeneration, changes of Cobb angle of fusion segment. JOA scoring were applied for evaluate recovery of nerve function.

RESULTSAll operations were completed successfully, 2 cases ocurred hoarseness, and improved after treated symptomatically. Nineteen patients were followed up from 3.1 to 5.3 years with an average of 3.9 years. Bone union time ranged from 3 to 7 (averaged 4.5) months. No screw loosening and displacement occurred. Nine patients occurred titanium mesh subsidence in different degrees, and 4 of them subside >3 mm; four patients ocurred adjacent segment degeneration. Postoperative Cobb angle of fusion segment at 1 week (10.40±2.94)° was improved from preoperative (5.76±4.16)°, but decreased at the latest follow-up (8.57±2.82)°, and had significant meaning compared with preoperative (P<0.01). JOA score at the latest follow-up (14.6±1.1) was higher than that of before operation (8.2±1.9), and had siginificant differences (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSegmental anterior cervical decompression for the treatment of multilevel cervical myelopathy has a high clinical operability, and plays an important role in recovering cervical curvature and nerve function based on completely decompression.

Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spondylosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo discuss on the effect of cervical spondylotic myelopathy before and after surgery and assess its indications and efficacy.

METHODSFrom June 2002 to June 2006, 125 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were analyzed retrospectively involving 58 anterior routine and 67 posterior routine, of which 71 cases of males, 54 cases of females, aged from 28 to 69 years (average 53.4 years). The course was 0.5 to 48 months (means 14 months). According to JOA score system preoperative and postoperative nerve function were analyzed, summarized anterior and posterior cervical spine surgery.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for from 6 to 30 months (average of 18 months). According to JOA score criteria: anterior cervical surgery preoperative JOA score was (8.78 +/- 2.43) points, postoperative JOA score was (14.68 +/- 2.37) points, the results were excellent in 40 cases, good in 10 cases, effective in 6. Posterior surgical group preoperative JOA score was (8.49 +/- 2.58) points, postoperative JOA score was (14.26 +/- 2.83) points, the results were excellent in 42 cases, good in 12 cases, effective in 8. Invalid operation occurrenced in 6 cases included 2 of anterior, 4 of posterior. The postoperative symptoms had worsed in 1 case of posterior operation. The two groups had no statistical difference in efficacy, but there were differences statistically in the same approach comparing preoperative and postoperative.

CONCLUSIONBoth anterior and posterior approaches have fine effect to the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). But the selection of the indication is very important, the patients with the pressure from anterior, the short-level changes, and the main symptoms of pyramid trac compression, adopt anterior approach on principle. While the patients with the pressure of spinal cord from posterior, multilevel changes, main symptoms of sensory disturbances, and accompanied by cervical spine canal stenosis mainly is introduced posterior approach.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylosis ; physiopathology ; surgery