In order to explore the possibility of Xihuangwan (XHW)'s application in assistant therapy in patients with breast cancer, short- and long-term clinical efficacy were assessed in this study. Eighty and four patients with advanced breast cancer were selected in this study. They were divided into control group and treatment group randomly and evenly. All patients received surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy regimen composed of PTX + EPI + CTX (TEC regimen). Treatment group received additional assistant treatment of XHW. Short-term clinical efficacy was assessed by KPS, lesion stabilizing rate and side effects in 3-month follow-up study. Long-term clinical efficacy was assessed by overall survival (OS) and free-progression survival (FPS). KPS increased significantly after treatment in all patients (P < 0.05), more significantly in treatment group than in control group after treatment (P < 0.05); lesion stabilizing rate in treatment group increased significantly in treatment group than in control group (92.86% vs. 85.71%, P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between control group and treatment group in occurrence of side effects. Compared with control group, OS and FPS increased significantly in treatment group. Data in this study showed that XHW was suitable in treatment of advanced breast cancer due to its satisfactory short-term and long-term therapeutic effects.
Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible mechanism of curcumin in inducing the apoptosis of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231.

METHODCurcumin of different concentrations at 0, 10 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 micromol x L(-1) were used to intervene breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 for 24 hours. MTT was used to observe its effect on the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The flow cytometry was used to detect its effect on the cell apoptosis. The real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot was used to assess the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP in breast cancer cells.

RESULTCurcumin could inhibit the proliferative ability of breast cancer cells by inducing them in a concentration-dependent manner. Curcumin could significantly increase the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP in breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin could induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; genetics ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Here we report a case of dermatitis caused by Tyrophagus putrescentiae,and have reviewed the related literature, then summarize the clinical characteristics and treatments of dermatitis in order to improve the understanding of the disease.

Objective To investigate the species of Limacodidae and the biological habits on Prunus cerasifera and sycamore in the urban area of Wuhu City,so as to provide the reference for the prevention and control of the diseases caused by Limacodi?dae. Methods Two observation places were selected in the urban area of Wuhu City,and the survey period of the first observa?tion place(A)was from 2014?5?4 to 2014?11?2,and eucleid caterpillar was observed and collected every Sunday(a total of 27 times);the survey period of the second observation place(B)was from 2014?1?5 to 2014?12?28,and eucleid caterpillar was ob?served and collected every Sunday(a total of 52 times). The eucleid caterpillars were collected by the visual inspection and arti?ficial direct collecting method,and then they were identified and classified by the naked eye direct observation and the direct ob?servation with the help of the anatomical lens in the laboratory. Results There were seven kinds of identified Limacodidae from the two observation places and their occurrence regularity,the species composition ratio,and natural enemies were understood. Conclusions Limacodidae larvae not only are the defoliator of the ornamental forests,but also harm the health of residents, that is they can cause eucleid larva dermatitis. Therefore,we should strengthen the prevention and control of Limacodidae,re?ducing its impact on the lives of the residents.

Objective To study the value of lung window and soft tissue window in measuring colon diseases with experimental CTVC examination.Methods Twenty-four artificial polypoid diseases were placed with glue in a thoroughly cleaned porcine colon(overall length,150 era)that was distented with air and submerged in a water phantom and scanned 10 times on a 64-MSCT(GE Light speed)with identical scanning parameters.The data were reconstructed every 0.625 mm and reviewed using 2D images, navigation,MPR and 3D volume-rendered images on a GE AW 4.2 workstation.The maximum diameters of the artificial polypoids were measured by two radiologists with more than 10 years working experience in lung window(W = 1000,L =-700)and soft tissue window(W =400,L =40),respectively.The average value of maximum diameters of the artificial polypoids were measured for 10 times and were compared with the actual diameter.Results Twenty-four artificial polypoid diseases and their shape,size,loeation and relation of diseases with bowel wall were all showed excellently.The maximum diameter measured was close to the actual diameter.The average value was mostly less than actual diameter and a few of them more than the actual diameter.The maximum diameter measured in lung window was close to the actual diameter,and there was no difference between the two data sets(t =0.431,P =0.669).There was difference between the maximum diameter measured in soft tissue window and the virtual diameter(t = 2.691,P = 0.010). Conclusion In screening the colon diseases,CTVC is a good method of choice with no insult or less insult, and higher repeatability.The lung window should be chosen in measuring colon diseases in CTVC examination.

Objective To evaluate the safety,biocompatibility and efficacy of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect(ASD)with no stainless-steel-screw occluder in canine model.Methods The device was constructed from superelastic Nitinol wires tightly woven into two flat disks and sewed with polyester fibers inside,with a pliable loop on the right-atrial-disk of the device,connecting to the delivery cable.ASD was created by transcatheter puncture and balloon dilatation and then closed by occluder under fluoroscopy in the catheterization laboratory.The location and the influence of the implanted device on function of tricuspid valve and mitral valve were evaluated by echocardiography.At 1,2,3 and 6 months after the operation,the animals were killed and autopsy was conducted.Results Eight dogs with puncture-produced ASD underwent ASD closing procedure successfully.The occluder showed no influence on the function of MV and AV demonstrated by echocardiogram.The two disks of the implanted device were covered with a smooth intact neogenesis layer in all dogs.Endocardial cells fully covered the surface of the two disk without inflammating reaction 3 months later. There was no evidence of corrosion on the surface of the nitinol wire removed from the dog after 6 months.Light microscopic examination of the liver,kidney,lung and spleen showed no evidence of embolization and inflammation.Conclusion Transcatheter ASD occlusion with new-type occluder is safe,feasible,effective and good biocompatibility with a good prospective clinical application.

Objective To observe the external morphology of Lepidoglyphus destructor hypopus under an optical microscope. Methods The samples were collected in a store of Chinese medicinal herbs in Huainan City in September,2016,the L. de-structor and the hypopus were isolated,and then made of slide specimens. The slide samples were prepared and observed under an optical microscope. Results The L. destructor hypopus and protonymph were found. The inactive hypopus was oval in shape, the feet were not well-developed,there was a distinct transverse seam on its back,and there were 2 pairs of genital sensory or-gans. Conclusion The optical microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of L. destructor hypopus,which can provide the basis for the biological classification and the prevention.

The parts of system automatically detecting the standard 12-synchronous-lead ECG (electrocardiograms) signal based on personal computer is introduced in this paper. The object-oriented programming method is adopted based on Windows System. We put forward methods to analyze QRS complex wave, P wave, T wave and ST fragment. In this paper the techniques such as ECG signal preprocessing, cardio wave parameters detecting and wave pattern cognizing are discussed too. Furthermore we use wavelet transform technique to analyze the wave pattern and get sound effect.
Algorithms ; Electrocardiography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software

AIM: To explore whether carnosine can protect α -crys-tallin modification and decreased chaperone by a steroid,and whether carnosine could directly react with a steroid.METHODS: Bovine lens α L-crystallin was separated by size-exclusion chromatography on a Sephacyl S-300 HR column. α L-Crystallin was incubated with different concentrations of prednisolone-21-hemisuccinate (P-21-H)with or without carnosine for different times. The chaperone activity of α L-crystallin was monitored using the prevention thermal aggregation of α L-crystallin. The modified α L-crystallinwas examined by SDS-PAGE and fluorescence measurements. The absorbance spectra of solutions of carnosine and P-21-H were investigated.RESULTS: P-21-H decreased the chaperone activity ofα L-crystallin in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. Carnosine only worsened this effect. The tryptophan fluorescence intensity of α L-crystallin modified by P-21-H was significantly decreased compared to unmodified crystallin, whereas its non-tryptophan fluorescence was increased with a shift to longer wavelengths in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting that new fluorophores are possibly formed. Carnosine readily reacted with P-21-H thereby inhibiting steroid-mediated protein modification as revealed electrophoretically. The increased absorbance was time-dependent, suggesting adducts may be formed between carnosine and P-21-H.CONCLUSION: Carnosine reacts with P-21-H, which suggests carnosine's potential as a possible anti-seroid agent.