BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compression or ventilation throughout a response of average emergency medical services because of increased rescuer fatigue. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in training of military medical university students during a prolonged basic life support (BLS). METHODS: A 3-hour BLS training was given to 120 military medical university students. Six months after the training, 115 students performed single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8 minutes. The qualities of chest compressions as well as ventilations were assessed. RESULTS: The average compression depth and rate were 53.7±5.3 mm and 135.1±15.7 compressions per minute respectively. The proportion of chest compressions with appropriate depth was 71.7％±28.4％. The average ventilation volume was 847.2±260.4 mL and the proportion of students with adequate ventilation was 63.5％. Compared with male students, significantly lower compression depth (46.7±4.8 vs. 54.6±4.8 mm,P<0.001) and adequate compression rate (35.5％±26.5％ vs. 76.1％±25.1％,P<0.001) were observed in female students. CONCLUSIONS: CPR was found to be related to gender, body weight, and body mass index of students in this study. The quality of chest compressions was well maintained in male students during 8 minutes of conventional CPR but declined rapidly in female students after 2 minutes according to the latest national guidelines. Physical fitness and rescuer fatigue did not affect the quality of ventilation.

Objective: To assess changes of liver function in HIV-positive children with/without HBV/HCV co-infection after 1 year of highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HARRT ) . Methods: Seventy-eight pediatric AIDS patients with HBV/HCV co-infection,19 pediatric AIDS patients with HBV co-infection and 44 pediatric AIDS patients without HBV/HCV co-infection who received HAART at least for 1 year were enrolled .HIV-1 viral load was quantitatively detected using a standardized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay , and blood cells were determined by three-color flow cytometry . Anti-HCV antibody and HBsAg was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent technique , and ALT, AST and TBIL were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer .Results: After 1 year-HAART, the viral load was decreased to the lowest limit of detection in 90 .34% patients ( t=2 .61 , P<0 .01 ) , and CD4 +T cell counts were increased from 170 .187 ±132 .405/μl to 796 .014 ± 158 .491/μl ( t=3 .17 , P<0 .01 ) .The levels of ALT and AST were elevated ( t=2 .02 , P <0 .05 ) , while the ALT and AST levels in patients receiving nevirapine (NVP) based HAART increased from 18.28 ±13.74 U/L and 24.23 ±8.09 U/L to 55.35 ±22.40 U/L and 69.97 ±26.72 U/L, respectively(t=3.80,t=4.11;Ps<0 .01 ) .The increment of ALT and AST in NVP based HAART were significantly higher than that in the efavirenz based HAART (ALT:46.28 ±13.35 U/L vs 37.70 ±15.25 U/L and AST:19.53 ±7.23 U/L vs 1.25 ±0.21 U/L, respectively; t=4.53, t=5 .79;Ps<0 .01 ) , particularly in patients co-infected with HIV/HBV/HCV ( ALT:54 .32 ±22 .85 U/L vs 16 .89 ±14 .42 U/L and AST:41 .71 ±19 .26 U/L vs -3 .44 ±15.59 U/L, respectively; t=3.42, t=2.98, Ps<0.01).Conclusion: HARRT can repress HIV-1 replication effectively , but it also cause the damage of liver function , especially in patients with HBV and/or HCV co-infection.

PURPOSE: Tamoxifen has been well known as an effective anti-tumor agent against breast cancer. The important role of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in tamoxifen-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells has been suggested. However, the paradoxical fact that bcl-2 over-expression is assdegrees Ciated with better prognosis in clinic has not yet been clearly explained. To investigate this paradox, we analyzed the effect and dynamics of bcl-2 and p53 on the apoptosis after treatment of breast cancer cells with tamoxifen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MB MDA-468 were treated with 17-betaestradiol (E2) and tamoxifen. RESULTS: Following tamoxifen treatment, MCF-7 cells underwent apoptosis accompanied by reduced bcl-2 expression. E2 pre-treatment led to the inhibition of tamoxifen-mediated apoptosis and bcl-2 down-regulation. When MB MDA-468 cells were treated with E2 or tamoxifen, bcl-2 and p53 protein expression did not change and apoptosis did not develop. CONCLUSION: We observed that the down-regulation of bcl-2 by tamoxifen treatment can facilitate the apoptosis of breast cancer cells without p53 mutations. This finding was consistent with clinical experiences in which bcl-2 positive tumors were assdegrees Ciated with more indolent phenotypes in breast cancer.
Apoptosis* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Line* ; Down-Regulation ; Humans* ; MCF-7 Cells ; Phenotype ; Prognosis ; Tamoxifen

Previous methods used for nuclear transplantation were further investigated to develop a method that was both easy to carryout and did not require any special apparatus, such as Piezoimpact or Spindle-View. Following the puncture of zona pellucida with two holes by injection pipette that contained donor nuclei or cells, the injection pipette was pulled back to the perivitelline space while the negative pressure was increased in the holding pipette until the polar body and karyoplasm were wiped off completely. Then a reconstructed embryo was completed by the direct injection of the donor nucleus or cell without pulling out the injection pipette. 200 oocytes were manipulated using this method and it cost about 40 seconds with nucleus injection and about 30 seconds with cell injection to complete a reconstructed embryo. The success rates were 62.6% and 86. 0%, respectively, and enucleation rate was about 73.3% validated by Hoechst 33342. Using this method, the nucleus was completely eliminated and another was injected using the microscope and micromanipulator. Moreover, the efficiency of nuclear transplantation and survival rate of reconstructed embryos were greatly improved. Furthermore, it is very easy to manipulate and popularize in practice.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cloning, Organism ; methods ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Oocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Zona Pellucida ; metabolism

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus(SPJ)on cancer cach-exia in mice with colon adenocarcinoma. Methods BALB/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated with mu-rine colon adenocarcinoma CT26 cells to induce ca-chexia. The model animals were randomly divided into three groups: model group, SPJ low dose group and high dose group. Gavage started on the 4th day after inoculation, and the dosage regimen was as follows:the normal and model groups were given 10 mL·kg-1 saline, qd ×27; the low dose and high dose groups were treated with 20 and 60 mg·kg-1SPJ respective-ly, qd ×27. After treatment, the effects of SPJ on body weight, tibialis anterior muscle, gastrocnemius muscle,spleen and epididymal fat changes of cachexia mice were observed. HE and Western blot were used to measure the changes of cross section of gastrocnemius muscle fibers and the expression of NF-κB,PAX7 and MuRF1 protein level in the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle. Results Compared with model group, the administration of SPJ could effectively re-duce the weight loss (P <0.05), increase muscle mass (P<0.05) and decrease muscle tissue degrada-tion in cachexia mice. Meanwhile,SPJ significantly re-duced the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum (P <0.05) and decreased the expression of NF-κB. Con-clusion SPJ can improve cancer cachexia in mice in a dose-dependent manner. The potential mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB mediated in-flammatory factor expression.

Objective To study the effect of Radix astragali injection (RA) on the activities of cytochrome P450 2D6(CYP2D6),2C19,3A4,1A2 and 2C9 by ultrahigh performance-LC and tandem mass spectrome try(UHPLC-MS/MS).Methods The activities of CYP2D6,2C19,3A4,1A2 and 2C9 were evaluated based on pharmacokinetics of metopmlol,omeprazole,midazolam,phenacetin and tolbutamide (five probe drugs) respectively.SD rats were assigned to two groups:control group and experimental group and the rats in the two groups were given 0.9％ NaCl and RA 10 mL · kg-1 by intraperitoneal injection for consecutive 7 days respectively.On the 7th day,after intraperitoneal injection for 30 min,a mix dose of five probe drugs was intragastric administration to all rats.Blood samples were collected at different times for UHPLC-MS/MS analysis.Pharmacokinetic parameters of five probe drugs were assessed between the two groups respectively.Results For metoprolol,omeprazole,phenacetin and tolbutamide,the AUG0-t in RA group decreased by 37.8％,55.5％,40.9％ and 38.9％ respectively,the Cmax in experimental group decreased by 25.4％,33.6％,14.6％ and 40.2％ respectively.While the AUC0-t and Cmax of midazolam in experimental group increased significandy by 60.1％ and 195％ respectively.RA could increase the total amount of midazolam absorbed into blood,while decreasing the total amounts of metoprolol,omeprazole,phenacetin and tolbutamide absorbed compared with control group respectively.The method of validation conformed to the requirements of the relevant rat pharmacokinetic guidehnes.Conclusion This method was successfully employed to assess the effect of RA on the activities of CYP2D6,2C19,3A4,1A2 and 2C9 in vivo.RA could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4,while inducing the activities of CYP2D6,2C19,1A2 and 2C9.

Objective To compare the effects of perindopril and enalapril on the development of atherosclemtic lesions in ApoE knockout mice.Metllods ApoE knockout mice were treated with saline/d, n=20)per gavage for 20 weeks.Blood pressure and lipids were measured at the study end.Aortic root atherosclerotic plaque was then quantified and tlle content of collagen and the size of lipid core in the plaque assessed.Cryostat sections were used to quantify the expressions of monocyte/macrophage-2 (MOMA-2),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)and matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9)in the plaque by immunofluorescence method.Results Blood pressure and lipid profiles were similar among different groups.Compared with control group,the plaque areas of perindopril group and enalapril group displayed significantly decrease(25.33%and 22.86%,respectively,both P＜0.01).However,no significant difierent were observed in the plaque size between the different ACE inhibitors groups.Perindopril group and enalapril group also significantly decreased the size of lipid core(52.98%and 38.98%.respectively,both P＜0.01)and the expression of MOMA-2(88.38%and 52.16%,respectively,both P＜0.01),ICAM-1(80.87%and 49.59%,respectively,both P＜0.01),VCAM-1(77.56%and 56.44%,respectively,both P＜0.01)and MMP-9(86.93%and 55.56%,respectively,both P＜0.01), and increased the plaque collagen content(298.36%and 168.14%, respectively,both P＜0.01)and the effects of perindopril was superior to those of enalapril(all P＜0.05).Conclusions ACE inhibitors significantly suppressed tissue inflammation and attenuated the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice independent of their effects on the lipid and blood pressure.Perindopril is superior to enalapril in stabilizing the plaques and has similar effect on reducing the plaque size as that of enalapril.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1-dominant immunity. It has been established as an effective treatment to counteract psoriasis by subcutaneous injection of recombinant interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-4 gene therapy by topical transdermal penetration has shown its antipsoriatic effect in mice. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethylsulfoxide can increase the efficiency of gene transfection in the topical transdermal delivery system. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether RA could improve anti-psoriasis efficiency using IL-4 expression plasmid pORF-mIL-4 (pIL-4) via transdermal delivery system in K14-vascular endothelial growth (K14-VEGF) factor transgenic mice. METHODS: After pretreatment with RA, plasmid pIL-4 in 10% dimethylsulfoxide was applied to the ear skin by topical transdermal penetration. Hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed with ear samples to evaluate anti-psoriasis efficiency in mice. RESULTS: The psoriasis pathological features were relieved and psoriasis-associated factors were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal that topical application of pIL-4 in dimethylsulfoxide by transdermal delivery with RA pretreatment can improve psoriasis significantly.
Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ear ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Genetic Therapy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Interleukin-4* ; Interleukins ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Plasmids ; Psoriasis* ; Skin ; Transfection ; Tretinoin*

PURPOSE: We evaluated the feasibility of non-invasive imaging of estrogen receptors (ER) in primary breast cancer with iodine-123-labeled ER specific ligand (17alpha,20E)-21-[123I] iodo-19-nonpregna-1,3,5-(10), 20-tetraene-3, 17-diol using conventional nuclear medicine technique. METHODS: Before they underwent surgical management, planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed in 18 patients with proven primary breast cancer, after single IV injection of 5~10 mCi I-123-estradiol. The results were compared with those of immunohistochemical staining against ER of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Planar and SPECT imaging showed hot uptake in nine of eighteen (50%) breast cancer patients. The results of ER immunohistochemistry were all positive in these patients. In the 9 cases of negative scintigraphy, 8 showed negative staining results but one showed positive staining results. Therefore, the overall concordance rate of ER scintigraphy and ER immunohistochemistry was 94.4% (17/18). CONCLUSION: ER scintigraphy using I-123-estradiol is a highly predictable in vivo technique to detect ER-positive breast cancer preoperatively. It has potential application as a reliable diagnostic modality and indicator of hormone therapy for breast cancer patients.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estradiol* ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Negative Staining ; Nuclear Medicine ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Receptors, Estrogen* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) on the treatment of Cushing's disease(CD).

METHODSClinical data of 15 cases of CD between January 1980 and December 2005 were analyzed to evaluate operative indications, complications and the changes of hypercortisolism and hormone levels pre- and post- adrenalectomy.

RESULTSAll the patients involved underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery previously. Repeated transsphenoidal surgery was performed in 4 cases. Pituitary radiotherapy was done in 4 cases. The average time from original transsphenoidal operation to ADX was 25.7 months. Pre- and post- adrenalectomy serum cortisol median level were 1156.4 nmol/L and 99.4 nmol/L, the 24 h urinary-free cortisol median level were 315.0 and 5.4 microg, respectively. Hormone replacement therapy was needed in all cases. Average follow-up period was 47 months (9-120 months). Nelson syndrome (NS) appeared in 5 cases (33.3%), while 10 cases showed no NS.

CONCLUSIONSADX is an effective and symptomatic treatment to relieve hypercortisolism caused by CD but with the risk of NS. Longtime hormone replacement therapy and follow up are needed after ADX.

Adolescent ; Adrenalectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nelson Syndrome ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; blood ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome