Objective To study the technique and clinical significance of percutaneous biopsy of transplanted liver guided by CT.Methods 19 transplanted liver were undergone 25 times of percutaneous biopsy and the pathomorphologic changes were demonstrated by HE staining.Results The successful rate of the percutaneous biopsy was 100% for all the 25 times of this procedure,including acute rejection on 9 episodes,preservation perfusion retrauma in 6,bile duct strictures in 4,drug-induced injury in 4,chronic rejection in 1 and acute hepatic necrosis in 1.Conclusions CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is an important method for diagnosing transplanted liver injury and providing great value for distinguishment of the causes for transplanted liver injury.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:855-857)

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huayu Tongbi Recipe (HTR) combined methotrexate (MTX) in treating refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RRA).

METHODSTotally 167 RRA patients were assigned to the treatment group (73 cases) and the control group (94 cases) according to different therapeutic methods. Patients in the treatment group were treated with HTR combined MTX, while those in the control group were treated with leflunomide (LEF) combined MTX. Clinical signs and symptoms, RF, CRP, ESR, disease activity score 28 (DAS28), and safety indicators were compared between the two groups before treatment, at week 12 and 24 after treatment. The efficacy and safety indices were also evaluated.

RESULTSAt week 12 after treatment the total effective rate was 82.2% (60/73 cases) in the treatment group and 79.8% (75/94 cases) in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (chi2 = 0.15, P > 0.05). At week 24 after treatment the total effective rate was 78.1% (57/73 cases) in the treatment group and 755% (71/94 cases) in the control group, showing no statistical difference between the two groups (chi2 = 0.15, P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the total effective rate between week 24 and week 12 in the control group (chi2 = 0.49, P < 0.05). Clinical signs and symptoms, RF, CRP, ESR, and DAS28 were significantly improved in the two groups after 12- and 24-week treatment (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the improvement at week 12 after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in time of morning stiffness, tender joint numbers, swollen joint numbers, patient global assessment, RF, CRP, and DAS28 at week 24 after treatment between the two groups (P < 0.05). Besides, adverse reactions occurred less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy of HTR combined MTX was equivalent to that of LEF (10 mg per day) combined MTX, but with more stable therapeutic effects and less adverse reactions.

Antirheumatic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Arthralgia ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Isoxazoles ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Brain Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Eye Diseases ; drug therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Photochemotherapy ; Precancerous Conditions ; drug therapy ; Skin Diseases ; drug therapy ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Tooth Diseases ; drug therapy ; Urologic Neoplasms ; drug therapy

NP, P and L gene of Newcastle disease virus of goose origin were amplified and cloned into pGEM-T easy vector and then subcloned into pCI-neo expression vector respectively, the positive clones were identified by enzyme cutting, PCR and sequencing. GFP reporter gene was inserted into the downstream of recombinant expression plasmid of P gene, which of stop codon was deleted. The experiment of transfection of P and GFP recombinant plasmid on COS-1 cells and CEF showed that GFP gene expressed, and this demonstrated that P gene was also expressed. This research may be helpful for further study of reverse genetics and functional genome of NDV of goose origin.

OBJECTIVETo study, the high polar media-water extraction process of Herba epimedii with the microwave technology.

METHODThe single parameters of extraction process was investigated with dry extract yield and extraction efficiency of icariin as content index.

RESULTThrough studying the single parameter, the optimal conditions are as follows: 70% ethanol as wetting solvent, volume of solvent to weight of material equal to 6:1 in wetting, 30 min wetting time, 2.5 min microwave irradiation time, volume of solvent to weight of material equal to 50:1 in extraction process, 10 min microwave-assisted extraction time.

CONCLUSIONCompared with conventional methods, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) after Microwave Pretreament (MP) of raw material was higher extraction efficiency and time-saving.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Microwaves ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solvents ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of valsartan on expression of angiotensin II receptors in different regions of heart after myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSCanines were divided into sham-operated control group (n=7), infarction group (n=7) and Valsartan group (10 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) for 4 weeks after MI operation, n=7). Four weeks after operation, Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) was used to evaluate regional ventricular function in the noninfarcted myocardium (apical and basal near to the infarction region). The mRNA and protein expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2-R) on the corresponding regions were detected by competitive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique and immunohistochemical technique respectively. Results The protein and mRNA expressions of AT1-R were significantly increased in both apical and basal regions near to the infarction in dogs with MI compared with those in control group (P < 0.05) which could be downregulated by valsartan (P < 0.05). AT2-R expressions were significantly upregulated in infarction group in both apical and basal regions compared with those in control group and valsartan further increased AT2-R expressions in both areas (P < 0.05). Myocardial peak systolic velocity (Sm), myocardial peak early diastolic velocity (Em) and myocardial peak late diastolic velocity (Am) at both apical and basal regions near to the infarction regions were significantly lower in MI group than those in the control group which could be significantly improved by valsartan.

CONCLUSIONBoth mRNA and protein expressions of AT1-R and AT2-R are upregulated in noninfarcted regions near MI, valsartan improved myocardial function via inhibiting AT1-R upregulation and enhancing AT2-R upregulation.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo analyze the causes of death in patients with heart failure.

METHODSA total of 133 heart failure patients died during hospitalization in our hospital between January 2005 and December 2008 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided to two groups: sudden death (group A, n = 73, 54.9%), chronic end-stage pump failure (group B, n = 55, 41.4%). The remaining 5 cases died of other causes were excluded from the final analysis. Clinical data (medical history, blood pressure, clinical manifestation, NYHA cardiac function class, left ventricular diameter of diastole, left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmias, drug therapy) of group A and B were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in terms of medical history (including hypertension and diabetes), blood pressure, heart rate and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia between the two groups. In group A, the NYHA functional class was mostly II or III grade, and LVEF value was significantly higher than that of group B. The incidence of angina pectoris was significantly higher in group A compared to group B. beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker use was also significantly higher in group A than in group B, however, the treatment dose was significantly lower and therapy duration was significantly shorter in group A than in group B. There were significantly less patients received statins and anti-platelet aggregation drugs in group A compared to group B.

CONCLUSIONIn our patient cohort, sudden cardiac death often occurred in heart failure patients with NYHA cardiac function II to III grade, angina pectoris, probably due to the unstable coronary plaque and less statins and anti-platelet drug use in these patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Cause of Death ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; epidemiology ; Female ; Heart Failure ; mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics of ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis in children with renal diseases.

METHODThree children with renal diseases developed biliary pseudolithiasis when they were treated with ceftriaxone. Their clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSCase one was an 11-year-old boy. The initial diagnosis was primary nephrotic syndrome. Ceftriaxone was administered intravenously at a dose of 2 g/d [50 mg/(kg * d)] for gastroenteritis. After that the boy complained of nausea and loss of appetite. Abdominal sonogram obtained on day 3 of ceftriaxone therapy revealed gallbladder sludge. After cessation of ceftriaxone treatment, symptoms and ultrasound abnormalities gradually disappeared, with complete sonographic resolution after 16 days. Case two was a 10-year-old boy. The primary diagnosis was post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis with acute renal failure. The child was treated with 1.5 g/d [30 mg/(kg * d)] intravenous ceftriaxone for gastroenteritis. After that, the boy complained of nausea and abdominal pain with positive Murphy's sign. Gallstone was detected by ultrasonographic examination on day 6 of ceftriaxone therapy. After cessation of ceftriaxone treatment, symptoms and sonographic abnormalities gradually disappeared, with complete sonographic resolution after 18 days. Case three was a 12-year-old boy. The primary diagnosis was nephrotic syndrome. He was treated with 2 g/d [40 mg/(kg.d)] ceftriaxone for gastroenteritis. Gallbladder lithiasis was detected 17 days after the initiation of ceftriaxone therapy (3 days after cessation of ceftriaxone treatment). Gallbladder sonogram was found to be normal two months after the discontinuation of the therapy.

CONCLUSIONSBiliary pseudolithiasis occurred in 3 cases with renal diseases receiving low doses of ceftriaxone. The risk of developing ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis might increase in patients with renal diseases who are treated with ceftriaxone.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Ceftriaxone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cholecystolithiasis ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Human placental decidua basalis-mesenchymal stem cells (PDB-MSCs) are multipotent cells from the human term placenta, which are ethically conducive, easily accessible and high-yielding source. PDB-MSCs can differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic cells under appropriate conditions, which may be an attractive and alternative source of seed cells for tissue engineering. To investigate the effect of hypoxia (1% O2) on human PDB-MSCs and the expression of cytokine, PDB-MSCs were isolated from human placenta by density gradient centrifugation and cultured in the Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium-high glucose (DMEM-HG) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and the fifth passage of PDB-MSCs were taken. PDB-MSCs were divided into 4 groups according to the concentrations of O2 and FBS: 20% O2, 10% FBS; 20% O2, 0% FBS; 1% O2, 10% FBS; 1% O2, 0% FBS. The proliferation and apoptosis of PDB-MSCs were detected by MTT and flow cytometric analysis at the time points of 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) released from PDB-MSCs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the same time points. The results showed that hypoxia enhanced the proliferation of PDB-MSCs at 12 h under the condition of 10% FBS, while at 24 h under the condition of 0% FBS (P<0.01, n=3). In normoxia, the cells cultured in 10% FBS displayed a significant proliferation compared to those cultured in 0% FBS. However, in hypoxia, the number of cells cultured in 0% FBS (serum deprivation) increased significantly compared to that cultured in 10% FBS at 24 h and 96 h respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=3). With the flow cytometric analysis of cell apoptosis under the condition of hypoxia and serum deprivation, we found that hypoxia and serum deprivation did not induce PDB-MSCs apoptosis (P>0.05, n=3). This conclusion may relate to the expression of VEGF which needs further research. In conclusion, the results obtained indicate that PDB-MSCs are able to bear hypoxia and serum deprivation, suggesting that PDB-MSCs can be used as seed cells for ischemia related tissue engineering.
Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Decidua ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Engineering ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression changes of intrinsic cytokines TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha, telomerase activity and bcl-2 during ongoing apoptosis of HL-60 and K562 cells induced by p53.

METHODSpN53cG (Val135), a temperature sensitive p53 mutant, which behaved like wild type p53 (wt-p53) at 32.5 degrees C, were introduced into p53-null HL-60 and K562 cells respectively by lipofectin. In the presence of G418, HL-60-pN53cG and K562 pN53cG clones expressing p53 protein were selected. The ongoing expression of intrinsic cytokines (TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha), bcl-2 oncogene and hTERT mRNA during the apoptosis of HL-60 and K562 cells induced by p53 and the effects of exogenous p53 gene, TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha antisense PS-ODNS on the apoptosis of HL-60 and K562 cells and the expression of bcl-2 were studied by RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, DNA fragmentation, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometery. The levels of secreted TGF-beta(1) and telomerase activity were detected by ELISA and PCR-ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS(1) The expressions of intrinsic TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha mRNA were up-regulated, while that of bcl-2 and hTERT down-regulated. The levels of TGF-beta(1) in the supernatant of HL-60 and K562 cells were increased, and the level of telomerase activity decreased. (2) Antisense PS-ODNS of TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha could obviously inhibit the p53 inducing cell apoptosis, and restore bcl-2 mRNA and protein to pre-treated level.

CONCLUSIONSExogenous p53 induces leukemia cell apoptosis via up-regulating the expression of intrinsic TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha and down-regulating the expression of hTERT and bcl-2.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; genetics ; pathology ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; physiology