OBJECTIVETo explore the detoxication and tissue generation effect of Astragalus (As) in wound healing and its relation with inflammatory reaction, through observing the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (AP) on neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion and expression of related adhesive molecules.

METHODSHuman polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) or human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) was treated separately with AP, AP plus interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to study the effect of AP on PMN adhesion with HUVEC by rose bengal staining, and that on expression of superficial adhesive factor by means of Cell-ELISA and APAAP method.

RESULTSWhen AP acted on HUVEC, it could significantly promote the adhesion of HUVEC with PMN, while when AP acted on PMN, the adhesion would not increase. When HUVEC was treated by AP plus IL-1, the IL-1 induced PMN adhesion with HUVEC could be strengthened, and the expression of HUVEC superficial adhesive factor ICAM-1 induced by IL-1 and TNF was strengthened also, but when PMN treated with AP, it showed no effect on the expression of adhesive factor CD18.

CONCLUSIONAP promotes the adhesion between neutrophil and endothelial cell by way of promoting the expression of superficial I-CAM-1 on surface of endothelial cells, so as to improve the inflammatory reaction in the wound healing course, it possibly is one of the biological bases of the detoxication and tissue generation effects of AP.

Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the prevalence of low T3 syndrome in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and explore the effect of low T3 syndrome on outcome of AMI.MethodsThree hundred and thirty-eight patients with AMI admitted to cardiac care unit(CCU) underwent examinations of thyroid function and cardial ultrasound,and were further categorized according to thyroid hormone profile.The records of noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP)ventilation utilization,length of hospital stay,mortality during hospitalization were evaluated,and the related factors were analysed.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-nine of the 338 patients(41.12%) with AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome.Free triiodothyronine(FT3) was the independent influential factor for length of hospital stay.Low FT3 was significantly correlated with noninvasive BiPAP ventilation utilization and mortality during hospitalization.The average time of follow-up was(21.4?8.1) months.It was revealed by multivariate Cox regression analysis that FT3 was the chief predictor for cumulative death(risk ratio,4.25;95% confidential interval,2.30-7.87),followed by age and left ventricular ejection fraction.ConclusionThe recognition of AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome plays an important role in predicting the disease severity and outcome.

Objective To explore the effect of chromosomal abnormality and polygenic inheritance factor in female children with short stature.Methods 1.Chromosome analysis:peripheral blood was drawn for 1 mL and cultured 72 h to analyze chromosome karyotype (Giemsa Banding ) of peripheral lymphocytes.2.Polygenic factor analysis:the children′s final height were estimated based on their parents average height,and analyzed the distribution characteristics of children′s final height and compared the estimate final height with the actual height.Results Eighty-three cases out of the 364 female children with short stature were chromosomal abnormality(22.80%).Among the 83 cases,the 45,XO and 46,X,i(Xq) occupied 70%.The distribution of children target height shifted left,and the target height of 76 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation (-2 s)and the consistency of target height and actual height reached 20.88%.The target height of 7 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation in those whose chromosome turned out to be abnormal,and the consistency of target height and actual height was 8.43%.Conclusions Chromosomal abnormality is one of the most important etiologic agents causing short stature in female children, and polygenic inheritance is another important etiologic agent.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the impact of AAV-encoding NT4-TAT-His-PR39 fusion gene expression on HIF-1alpha level in ECV304 cultured under hypoxic condition (1%O(2)) and on angiogenesis in hypoxic chick embryo.

METHODSPR39 cDNA was connected with NT4, TAT, 6 x His cDNA by molecular biology methods. The recombinant AAV vector was obtained by three plasmid co-transfection in 293 cells. Then ECV304 were respectively infected with AAV-NT4-TAT-His-PR39, 6 x His expression and HIF-1alpha level in ECV304 were detected by immunocytochemistry. The chicken embryos were randomized into the AAV-PR39, EV and PBS groups (n = 10 each) subject to hypoxia (5%O(2), n = 15) or normoxia environments (n = 15), the vessel density of the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) were measured by Image Pro Plus (IPP) software.

RESULTSThe expression of 6 x His protein was detected in AAV-PR39 infected ECV304 cells. HIF-1alpha protein activity was significantly increased in AAV-PR39 infected ECV304 underwent hypoxia compared to PBS and non-infected ECV304 groups (P < 0.05). The vessel density of chicken CAM in hypoxia environment but not in normoxia environment was also significantly higher in AAV-PR39 group than in EV group and PBS group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAAV-encoding NT4-TAT-His-PR39 fusion gene expression significantly increased HIF-1alpha level in ECV304 exposed to hypoxia and promoted angiogenesis in hypoxic chicken embryo.

Animals ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Chick Embryo ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Gene Fusion ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Viral ; Hypoxia ; genetics ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptotic situation of CD(34) positive cells in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODIn 36 MDS patients, immunocytochemical technique was used for the detection of the expression of CD(34) antigen and DNA in situ end labelling (ISEL) (fluorescein) for the apoptotic signals. Fourteen cases of iron deficiency anemias (IDA) were used as controls.

RESULTS(1) CD(34) expression in MDS group was much higher than that in controls (49.2 +/- 38.5 vs 10.2 +/- 9.7, P < 0.01), and MDS cases had an obviously higher apoptotic rate than control did (69.1 +/- 28.2 vs 17.8 +/- 11.2, P < 0.01). (2) Expression of CD(34) was higher in transforming group (P < 0.05) than in non-transforming and post-transforming groups. Apoptotic rates in both non-transforming/transforming group were higher than in post-transforming group (P < 0.02 and < 0.05 respectively). (3) No apoptosis was found in CD(34) positive cells in MDS; (4) Both CD(34) positive cells and apoptotic cells formed into small or large clusters but did not co-distributed in a given area.

CONCLUSIONThere is overexpression of CD(34) antigen on hematopoietic cells in MDS. High CD(34) expression accompanied high apoptosis coexisted in the process of transformation from MDS to AML. Apoptosis-resistance of these CD(34) positive cells suggested that they came from malignant hematopoietic cell clones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; immunology ; pathology

In order to observe the proliferative and apoptotic situation of megakaryocytes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). CD41 immunoenzyme labeling (alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase APAAP)/DNA in situ end labelling (ISEL) double stained techniques was used onto plastic cold embedded bone marrow sections in 29 MDS patients to analyse the proliferative and apoptostic characterization of megakaryocytic line with 14 cases of iron deficient diseases (IDA) as control. The results showed that the mean CD41 positive cell number in MDS group was (26.23 +/- 8.18) /mm(2) with a count of (15.64 +/- 7.11) /mm(2) in control group (p < 0.05). The small-micro megakaryocytes in MDS is much higher than that in IDA group (P<0.01). There was a positive co-relation between total megakaryocytes and small-micro megakaryocytes count in MDS (r = 0.702, p<0.01). Some megakaryocytes distributed abnormally around trabecula and formed small or large clusters. Apoptotic megakaryocytes in MDS occupied 4.40% and 9.32% of all CD14 positive cells and all apoptotic cells respectively (p > 0.5 comparing with control). Apoptosis in megakargocytic line occurred only in small-micro megakaryocytes and showed positive co-relation to the number of micro-megakaryocytes. Some apoptotic cell with morphologic characters of megakaryocytes expressed no CD41. It is concluded that overproliferation of megakaryocytes exists in MDS. Apoptosis occurring in micro-megakaryocytes may be a kind of physiological response to abnormal megakaryopoicsis in MDS. No obvious increased apoptosis of megakaryocytes in MDS was found perhaps due to lack of surface antigens CD41 in some later stages of apoptotic cell.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Apoptosis ; Cell Division ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Megakaryocytes ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the changes of resting energy expenditure (REE), substrate metabolism and body composition in cancer patients.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to March 2008, REE, carbohydrate oxidation (CO) and fat oxidation (FO) in 936 cancer patients and 840 control subjects were measured by indirect calorimetry. Bioelectrical impedance appliance was applied to assess intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) in the two groups.

RESULTSNo difference in REE was found between the cancer patients and non-cancer patients [(1452.2 +/- 196.4) kcal/d vs. (1429.5 +/- 182.6) kcal/d, P = 0.136]. But REE/FFM and REE/pREE were elevated in cancer patients than in controls (all P < 0.05). Of the cancer patients, 48.6% were hypermetabolic, 42.9% normal and 8.5% hypometabolic, while those were 22.5%, 58.5% and 19.0% in controls. Cancer patients had higher FO [(77.8 +/- 11.3) g/min vs. (67.1 +/- 12.1) g/min, P = 0.000], lower CO and npRQ [(68.7 +/- 10.5) g/min vs. (88.8 +/- 12.1) g/min, P = 0.000; 0.782 +/- 0.012 vs. 0.810 +/- 0.014, P = 0.000]. Cancer patients exhibited lower FM and FFM [(14.9 +/- 4.5) kg vs. (18.4 +/- 5.2) kg, P = 0.000; (44.4 +/- 7.2) kg vs. (46.1 +/- 8.1) kg, P = 0.008].

CONCLUSIONSElevated REE is common in cancer patients. Substrate metabolism of the cancer patients features in increased FO, decreased CO and npRQ, which is correlated with the elevated REE. FM and FFM loses in proportion in cancer patients.

Body Composition ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; Fats ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the supplementary analgesic effect of electroacupuncture and its influence on the maintenance of anesthesia and the speed of recovery of patients undergoing craniotomy.

METHODSEighty cases of supratentorial tumor resection were randomly divided into group A and group S, 40 cases in each group. All the patients were anesthetized with 2% Sevoflurane. The patients in group A received electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) and Waiguan (TE 5), Jinmen (BL 63) and Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Qiuxu (GB 40) from anesthesia beginning to the end of operation, and in group S without electroacupuncture. The end-tidal Sevoflurane concentration, minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), bispectral index (BIS) and the information during anesthesia recovery stage were recorded, respectively.

RESULTSThe end-tidal concentration and MAC of Sevoflurane in group A at all times were significant lower than those in group S (P<0.05, P<0.01) with a Sevoflurane saving of 9.62% on average. The BIS in group A during a few phases were higher than that in group S (all P<0.05). During anesthesia recovery stage, the time of each phase in group A was significantly shorter than that in group S (all P<0.01). No dysphoria and one case with nausea and vomiting were shown in group A, but in group S, 2 patients had dysphoria and 3 patients had nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with Sevoflurane anesthesia can decrease the dosage of Sevoflurane, shorten the recovery time of anesthesia and improve the quality of anesthesia recovery of the patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo estimate prevalence of malnutrition on admission to hospital and the relationship between nutritional status and prognosis.

METHODSFour thousand and twelve patients admitted to general surgery department were evaluated by a lot of nutrition indexes within 48 h. Operative morbidity and complications were recorded to identify the difference between malnourished and well-nourished patients.

RESULTSMalnutrition rate of all patients according to BMI, TSF, MAC, AMC, albumin, prealbumin, and lymphocyte count was 21.3%, 50.6%, 20.5%, 21.2%, 24.2%, 35.4% and 55.8%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition as defined by SGA and MNA were 38.8% and 20.8%. The older patients (> 60 years old) were associated with a higher prevalence of malnutrition (47.6%) compared with those younger than 60 (31.5%). Malnutrition was more frequently occurred in cancer patients than non-oncologic patients (64.5% vs 22.4%). Patients with digestive tract disease had higher rates of malnutrition than those without digestive tract disease (52.6% vs 30.0%). There were large differences in the morbidity and complications between well nourished patients and malnourished patients (4.0% vs 1.1%, P < 0.01 for morbidity; 19.8% vs 5.9% for complications).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized surgical patients is high. Malnutrition was associated with increased length of stay, higher operative morbidity and complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutrition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Nutritional Status ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo investigate the total in situ apoptotic cell number and the apoptotic situation in erythroid cell and megakaryocytes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

METHODSApoptosis cell number and the apoptotic situation of erythroid cell and megakaryocytes were analysed on cold embedded bone marrow sections from 25 MDS patients by DNA in situ end labelling (ISEL)/alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) double stained techniques. Fourteen cases of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were taken as control.

RESULTSMean apoptotic cell numbers in MDS and control group were (39.44 +/- 29.34)/mm(2) and (13.43 +/- 8.39)/mm(2) respectively (P < 0.01). RA/RAS subtypes had a higher apoptosis ratio (47.56 +/- 32.86/mm(2)) than that in RAEB/RAEB-t subtypes (21.87 +/- 13.65/mm(2)) (P < 0.05). Double staining showed similar apoptosis percentage in erythroid cell and megakaryocytes in MDS patients comparing with that of controls (P > 0.05). Some apoptotic cells showing erythroid or megakaryocytic morphologic characteristics expressed no cluster differentiation antigen.

CONCLUSIONOverapoptosis existed in MDS, RA/RAS group had a higher apoptosis ratio than RAEB/RAEB-t group. No obvious increased apoptosis in erythroid cell and megakaryocytes was observed in MDS perhaps due to the loss of surface antigens in later stages of apoptotic cells.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; immunology ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Child ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; pathology