Objective To assess the influence between managements in emergency room(ER) andoutcome of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI),in order to provide inference for treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in severe TBI patients and recorded next indexes.(1) The managements in ER,including endotracheal intubation and oxygenation,fluid resuscitation,and mannitol intake.(2) The vital signs arriving at ICU,including systolic pressure and blood oxygen saturation.(3) Prognostic indicators including inhospital mortality and days during ICU,the scores of Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at discharge and 6 months after injury.Results In 140 severe TBI patients,65 patients (46.4％) died during ICU.The mortality of patients with endotracheal intubation [65.0％ (39/60)] was significantly higher than that without endotracheal intubation [32.5％(26/80)](P＜ 0.01).The mortality in whether fluid resuscitation and using mannitol had no significant difference [44.7％ (46/103) vs.51.4％ (19/37),49.2％ (31/63) vs.44.2％ (34/77)] (P ＞0.05).In days during ICU,there was no significant difference among the three treatment measures (P＞ 0.05).In GOS grade at discharge and 6 months after injury,the proportion of 4 and 5 grade were 8.3％ (5/60) and 25.0％ (15/60) in patients with endotracheal intubation,while 27.5％ (22/80) and 52.5％ (42/80) in patients without endotraeheal intubation (P ＜ 0.01).In fluid resuscitation and using mannitol patients,there were no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Treating severe TBI patients in ER,endotracheal intubation should be carefully chosen,fluid resuscitation and mannitol may not be given.

AIMTo investigate the effects of a nutritional supplement on nutritional status and hypoxia endurance in young adults living at high altitude.

METHODSForty healthy male young adults were recruited and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The nutrition survey was carried out using weighing method. The intervention group was given a nutritional supplement specifically designed for use at high altitude, while the control group was treated with a supplement made of stir-fried flour. After 20 days of supplementation, they marched from the altitude of 3700 m to 5100 m. The changes in HR, SaO2, serum concentrations of VA and VB2 and some minerals were measured.

RESULTSThe results of nutrition survey showed that the ratio of three macronutrients was not adequate and the intakes of calcium, VA and VB2 were below Chinese RNI. The serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium and VA were below normal references. The serum VB2 concentration was at the low level o f normal reference. The nutritional supplement could increase the serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, VA and VB2, indicating an improved nutritional status. The changes in HR and SaO2 were diminished in intervention group compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONThe nutritional supplement can improve nutritional status and increase the hypoxia endurance in young adults living at high altitude.

Adult ; Altitude ; Dietary Supplements ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Vitamins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of early high fat diet on sugar metaboliam, insulin sensibility and pancreatic β cellularity in young rats.

METHODSSixty male weaned young rats were randomly fed with high fat diet (high fat group) and normal diet (control group). The body weight, viscus fattiness and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured after 3, 6 and 9 weeks. Serum insulin level was measured with radioimmunoassay. The ultrastructure of pancreas was observed under an electricmicroscope.

RESULTSThe high fat group had significantly higher body weight and visceral fat weight than the control group after 3 weeks. There were no significant differences in the FPG level between the two groups at all time points. The levels of fasting insulin and HOMAIR in the high fat group were significantly higher than those in the control group after 3, 6 and 9 weeks (P<0.01). Dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mild swelling of mitochondria of islet β-cells were observed in the high fat group after 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSEarly high fat diet may induce a reduction in insulin sensitivity and produce insulin resistance in young rats. Endoplasmic reticulum expansion in β-cells may be an early sign of β-cell damage due to obesity.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Dietary Fats ; adverse effects ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis inducing effects of bufalin on various human osteosarcoma cells and the concerning molecular mechanisms.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition rates of osteosarcoma cells U-20S, U-20S/MTX300, SaOS-2, IOR/OS9 treated with bufalin in different concentrations and times. The apoptosis of cells was observed flow cytometry 48 h following bufalin treatment. The proteomic techniques were used to separate and compare the treated and control groups 48 h after bufalin-incubation. Then, the proteomic results were validated by western blot.

RESULTBufalin inhibited the growth of human osteosarcoma cells U20S, U20S/MTX300 (methotrexate resistant cells), SAOS2, IOR/OS9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 72 h IC50 were (37.43 +/- 4.1), (32.24 +/- 5.3) nmol x L(-1) in U20S,U20S/MTX300 cells,respectivly. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis cells were increased following bufalin treatment. The protein expression profile showed 24 differentiated expression proteins. Among these proteins, the level of an anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) decreased significantly and the result was then validated by western blot. Ectopic expression of Hsp27 could reduce the bufalin-induced apoptosis remarkably in U20S and U20S/MTX300 cells.

CONCLUSIONBufalin could inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis on human osteosarcoma cells. The effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets. Among them, downregulation of Hsp27 plays a critical role in the bufalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Proteomics

Objective To detect the effect and role of profound hypothermia on cytochrome C release and cell apoptosis in the hippocampus after global ischemia in rats. Methods We established the animal model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 24 rats which were randomized into 3 even groups:blank control group,normothermia ischemia group and hypothermia ischemia group.After the hippocampus samples were harvested from the 3 groups,Western blot was used to detect the expression of cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and TUNEL was used to measure the cell apoptosis. Results The expression of Cyt-C in the normothermia ischemia group increased significantly compared with the blank control group but decreased significantly compared with the hypothermia ischemia group (P＜0.05).The rate of cell apoptosis in the normothermia ischemia group increased significantly compared with the blank control group but decreased significantly compared with the hypothermia ischemia group (P＜0.05).Conclusions Profound hypothermia can inhibit cytochrome C release into the cytoplasm and thus reduce cell apoptosis in the hippocampus after global ischemia in rats. This may be one important mechanism underlying the protective effect of profound hypothermia.

Using naproxen as model drug, the formulation of microemulsion vehicle for transdermal delivery was optimized by genetic algorithm. The ranges of microemulsion composed of Tween 80, IPM, alcohol and water, were defined through construction of the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. Systematic model microemulsions containing naproxen 1.12% were prepared by a three-factor, three-level center design method, and their diffusion studies via excised rabbit skin were performed. Using the quadratic regression model of steady-state permeation rate (Js) of naproxen as objective function, the consequence of center design experiment was optimized by genetic algorithm, and the formulation of microemulsion with highest permeation rate for naproxen was screened. The optimum formulation was composed of 21.41% Tween 80, 15.17% alcohol, 4.14% IPM, and 59.28% water, and the anticipated Js was 183.57 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1). The results of back substitution test showed the steady-state permeation rate of naproxen microemulsion prepared according to optimum formulation was 189.43 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), which was higher than anticipated value. This result demonstrated optimizing formulation of microemulsion for transdermal delivery by genetic algorithm is feasible, reliable and reasonable.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Algorithms ; Animals ; Models, Genetic ; Naproxen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Skin Absorption

OBJECTIVETo study the variation of specific antibody among convalescent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients through a three-year program.

METHODSSera samples were collected from SARS cases in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset of the illness. The SARS-CoV specific antibody was detected for all of them by ELISA and neutralized test simultaneously. The titer of neutralizing antibodies was calculated using Reed-Muench method, and the comparison between different time groups was analyzed regarding the variance of data on repeated measures after logarithm conversion.

RESULTS13, 17 and 13 sera samples were collected in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset. Results showed that despite the fact that the positive rates of ELISA antibody were 100%, 82.4% and 84.6% respectively,the neutralizing antibody was still positive for all the samples. The average neutralizing antibody titers were 1:43 (1:16-1:203), 1:36 (1:17-1:59) and 1:21 (1:10-1:39) on the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset, and the differences were statistically significant (F = 60.419, P < 0.001). On the 35th month after the onset, 30.8% (4/13) of the patients were still having the neutralizing antibody level of above 1:36, but the neutralizing antibody level in another 30.8% (4/13) of the patients had decreased to as low as 1:10, when the cut-off level was set as 1:8.

CONCLUSIONResults of the study indicated that the neutralizing antibody of SARS cases could last for at least three years, but the sera specific antibody in SARS cases decreased gradually when time went by. However, neutralizing antibody in some of the cases decreased to a lower level on the 35th month. Further follow-up study was worthwhile to observe the long-lasting profile of antibody existence on SARS cases.

Antibodies, Neutralizing ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the permeability of intact mouse abdominal skin to aniline and the protective capability of two typical lab gloves against aniline.

METHODSA Franz diffusion cell was used to perform in vitro transdermal absorption test and glove permeation test for aniline (0.102 mg/ml and 0.010 mg/ml). The permeabilities of intact mouse abdominal skin and gloves to aniline were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection.

RESULTSThe transdermal penetration of the two concentrations of aniline followed zero order kinetics within 12 h, exhibiting total aniline permeabilities within 24 h of 51.71% and 48.31%, respectively. The absorption liquid had an aniline concentration of at least 18 µg/L. The medical disposable latex glove could not stop the penetration of 0.010 mg/ml aniline, but the industrial natural latex glove could.

CONCLUSIONThe penetration of 0.102 mg/ml and 0.010 mg/ml aniline through the mouse abdominal skin follows zero order kinetics within 12 h. The medical disposable latex glove cannot stop the penetration of 0.010 mg/ml aniline, but the industrial natural latex glove can.

Aniline Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Animals ; Gloves, Protective ; Mice ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the growth inhibition and apoptosis induction effects of bufalin on human osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro.

METHODSU-2OS and U-2OS/methotrexate (MTX) 300-resistant cell lines were treated with bufalin. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Cell-cycle status, apoptosis-inducing effects, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated by flow cytometry, fluorescent staining, DNA fragmentation assay, and Western blotting.

RESULTSBufalin inhibited cell growth in both U-2OS and U-2OS/MTX300 cells. The IC(50) values of bufalin for U-2OS and U-2OS/MTX300 cells were (8.49 ± 2.1) ng/ml and (10.19 ± 1.7) ng/ml, respectively. The induction of G(2)/M cell-cycle arrest was also seen in the bufalin-treated cells. The bufalin-induced apoptosis was confirmed by increased expression of tumor suppressor protein p53, bax and decreased expression of bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONBufalin inhibits the growth of and induces apoptosis in both MTX-sensitive and MTX-resistant human osteosarcoma U-2OS cell lines. The apoptosis-inducing effect of bufalin is not influenced by the presence of high levels of DHFR.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone cancer in children and adolescents. Emerging evidence has suggested that the capability of a tumor to grow is driven by a small subset of cells within a tumor, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). Although several methods have been explored to identify or enrich CSCs in osteosarcoma, these methods sometimes seem impractical, and chemotherapy enrichment for CSCs in osteosarcoma is rarely investigated. In the present study, we found that short exposure to chemotherapy could change the morphology of osteosarcoma cells and increase sarcosphere formation in vitro, as well as increase tumor formation in vivo. Furthermore, methotrexate (MTX)-resistant U2OS/MTX300 osteosarcoma cells were larger in size and grew much more tightly than parental U2OS cells. More importantly, U2OS/MTX300 cells possessed a higher potential to generate sarcospheres in serum-free conditions compared to parental U2OS cells. Also, U2OS/MTX300 cells exhibited the side population (SP) phenotype and expressed CSC surface markers CD117 and Stro-1. Notably, U2OS/MTX300 cells showed a substantially higher tumorigenicity in nude mice relative to U2OS cells. Therefore, we conclude that chemotherapy enrichment is a feasible and practical way to enrich osteosarcoma stem cells.
Animals ; Antigens, Surface ; metabolism ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phenotype ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism