Animals ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; physiology ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; physiology

Purpose:To observe the effect of thalidomide combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Methods:34 patients were divided into two groups at random. 14 cases in the treated group were initially administered thalidomide at doses ranging from 100mg~200 mg/d,and the dosage was escalated by 100mg~200 mg every two weeks until patients could not tolerate the treatment.The maximal dose did not exceed 600mg/d.MP or M 2 protocol was delivered to those patients in the treated group concomitantly.20 cases in the control group received chemotherapy consisting of MP or M 2 protocol only.Evaluation of 3-months effective(partial remission plus progress)rate,one-year event free survival and two-years overall survival was done in both groups. Results:3-months effective rate is 85.7% in the treated group and 60% in control group.One-year EFS is 71.4% in the treated group while that in the control group is 35%.Two-years OS are 57.1% and 25% respectively.The side effects of thalidomide are tolerable,and constipation is the most common. Conclusions:The combination of thalidomide and chemotherapy is an effective treatment for newly diagnosed MM,and it demonstrates an improvement in effective rate,one-year EFS and two-years OS.

Objective To investigate the effect of penehyclidine (PHCD) pretreatment on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression in the lung following acute lung injury (ALI) induced by hemorrhagic shock in rats. Methods Forty healthy SD rats of both sexes weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 5 groups( n = 8 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S); group Ⅱ ALI (group ALI); group Ⅲ, Ⅴ, PHCD 0.3,1.0, 3.0 mg/kg were given iv respectively at 30 min before hemorrhagic shock (P1-3). Hemorrhagic shock was induced by exsanguinations. MAP was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg for 60 min. The animals were killed at 4 h after resuscitation. Their lungs were removed for microscopic examination, W/D lung weight ratio and determination of TLR4 mRNA expression in the lung tissue (by RT-PCR). NF-κB p65 protein expression in the lung tissue was determined (by immuno-histochemical staining). Results Hemorrhagic shock significantly increased TLR4 mRNA and NF-κB p65 protein expression in the lung tissue and W/D lung weight ratio. Pretreatment with PHCD 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg significantly inhibited hemorrhagic shock-induced increase in TLR4 mRNA and NF-κB p65 protein expression in the lung and W/D lung weight ratio. The lung injury was significantly ameliorated in group P2,3 as compared to group ALI. Conclusion PHCD pretreatment can attenuate ALI induced by hemorrhagic shock through down-regulation of TLR4 mRNA expression and decreasing NF-κB activity in the lung.

Objective: To explore the treatment effect of sticking-needle acupuncture plus tendon-regulating manipulation on pain, swelling and joint dysfunction due to acute ankle sprain.Methods: A total of 80 patients with acute ankle sprain were recruited and divided into a control group and a treatment group according to the random number table method, with 40 patients in each group. Both groups received the same conventional interventions. The control group was treated with additional tendon-regulating manipulation, and the treatment group was treated with tendon-regulating manipulation plus sticking-needle acupuncture. The pain, swelling and joint dysfunction of the ankle were observed in both groups before and after 3 d, 7 d and 14 d of treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores of both groups showed a decreasing trend over time, and the differences within the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). After 3 d, 7 d and 14 d of treatment, the VAS scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of swelling between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the degrees of swelling in both groups showed a decreasing trend over time, and the differences within the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). After 3 d and 7 d of treatment, the degrees of swelling in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the degree of swelling between the two groups after 14 d of treatment (P>0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale score between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale scores of both groups showed an increasing trend over time, and all the differences within the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). After 3 d, 7 d and 14 d of treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale scores in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the routine intervention, the addition of sticking-needle acupuncture and tendon-regulating manipulation was better in alleviating pain and swelling and improving joint function in patients with acute ankle sprain than the addition of tendon-regulating manipulation alone.

Adult ; Aged ; Colon ; physiopathology ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Physical Endurance

Objective To assess the changes in heart geometry and function during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods Thirty ASAⅡorⅢpatients(24 males,6 females)aged 50-78 undergoing elective off-pump CABG were studied.After induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation a catheter which was connected to the monitor measuring continuous cardiac output(CCO),mixed venous blood oxygen saturation(S(?)O_2)and CEDV was placed via right internal jugular vein and the probe of multi-phase transesophageal echocardiograph(TEE)(Sonos HP 2500)was inserted in the esophagus.The distance between the probe and the incisors was between 34-45 cm.The hemodynamic variables and TEE parameters were recorded when epicardium was opened(T_1,baseline)when the octopus tissue stabilizer was placed during anastomosis between the graft vessel and left anterior descending artery(LAD)(T_2)left circumflex artery(LCX)(T_3)and right coronary artery(RCA)(T_4)and when the anastomoses between the vessel grafts and aorta was completed (T_5).Results At T_2 the mitral valve deceleration time(DT_1)and the blood flow through the mitral valve(Q_1) were decreased significantly as compared with the baseline(T_1);MAP was significantly decreased while HR and CVP were increased(P＜0.05).At T_3 the left and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD,RVEDD), tricuspid valve diameter(TVD)and the blood flow through Q_1 and tricuspid valve(Q_2)were significantly decreased as compared to the baseline values at T_1.The mitral valve E/A ratio was increased while the tricuspid valve E/A ratio was decreased(P＜0.05).The MAP,S(?)O_2,right ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volume(RVESV,RVEDV)and right ventricular ejection fraction were significantly decreased while HR and CVP were increased at T_3 as compared to the baseline at T_1.At T_4 LVESD,LVEDD,MVD,tricuspid valve E/A ratio and Q_1 were significantly decreased as compared to the baseline at T_1(P＜0.05).MAP,MPAP,SV,S(?)O_2, RVEF,RVESV and RVEDV were significantly decreased while HR and CVP were increased(P＜0.05).At T_5 all the TEE and hemodynamic parameters returned to the baseline valves at T_1.Conclusion During anastomoses between graft vessels and LAD,LCX and RCA,both left and right ventricles are compared to some extent and the heart function is impaired temporarily but returns to the baseline after the anastomoses are completed.

Objective To investigate the effect of combined Metformin and esomeprazole therapy on plasma levels of gastrin,blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) and insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study of 41 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted.Patients were randomly assigned into treatment group(combination therapy with Metformin 0.5 g,bid or tid and Esomeprazole 20 mg,qd,for 12 weeks)and placebo group(Metformin monotherapy 0.5 g,bid or tid,for 12 weeks).Fasting blood samples were taken from vein before and after treatment.Fasting serum levels of gastrin,glucose,HbA1c,insulin,lipids,liver and renal functions were compared between the two groups.The homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) and insulin secretion index (HOMA-β)were calculated,and complications were recorded.Results There were no significant differences in body mass index and waist circumference between the two groups.Serum gastrin level was slightly increased in the treatment group 12 weeks after treatment,but without statistically significance [(127.20±9.21)ng/L vs.(131.53±7.84)ng/L,P＞0.05],and serum gastrin level had no significant differences in the placebo group before and after treatment [(128.42±4.58)ng/L vs.(127.51±3.47)ng/L,P＞0.05].However,there were no significant differences in the changes of blood glucose,HbA1c,insulin,HOMA-β and HOMA-IR before versus after therapy,and between the two group(all P＞0.05).Conclusions Combined Metformin and insulin therapy cannot increase serum gastrin and insulin levels and has no significant effect on reducing blood glucose and HbA1c levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective:To establish a rapid determination method of total VE in lycopene oleoresin.Method:By eliminating saponifiable matters and strong polar materials from the sample,VE was concentrated efficiently by PRP-6 SPE with 90% ethanol/water and 100% ethanol as elution solvents consecutively.The removal of polar materials was satisfactory.VE was determined by HPLC.Results:The linear regression was carried out,the relative coefficient r=0.9998 and 99.85～99.95 % recovery of VE were achieved.Conclusion:A simple and rapid VE determination method with good sensitivity is developed.

Objective To explore the puberty and height development in childern with congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency(21-OHD) with the simple virilizing(SV) form.Methods Patients of SV 21-OHD,diagnosed and treated in Tianjin Children's Hospital from Jan.1970 to Jan.2008,were treated with cortisone acetate or hydrocortisone after diagnosed,and blood investigations were performed as part of monitoring,and dosages were adjusted accordingly to obtain normal growth velocity and slow bone age(BA) development.Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist(Gn-RHa) was given after the appearance of central precocious puberty(CPP).Forty-one patients(18 females,23 males) had achieved final height before Dec.31st 2008,and their puberty and height development were analyzed in this longitudinal study by contrast the ages and statures of obtaining final height(FH),chronological age(CA) and BA of G2/B2 stage,duration from G2/B2 stage to obtain FH and stature development of different gender during this period and the influences of compliancy on the ages and statures of obtaining FH were contrasted.Results With regarding to the age of testicular volume ≥4 mL,78.26% boys were before 9 years old.As far as the age of breast development was concerned,38.89% girls were before 8 year old and 66.67% menarche occurred before 10 year old.The differences between the duration and stature development of the period from the state of G2/B2 to skeletal maturation of different gender were significant (Pa