Objective To study the expression of PTEN and Caspase-3 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) and to analyze the relationships between the expressions of the proteins and clinicopathologic factors as well as prognosis.Methods 64 cases of ESCCs,16 cases of pericarcinoma tissues and 16 cases of dysplasia epithelium were immunohistochemically stained.All 64 patients who underwent surgical treatment up to January 2005 were regularly followed up through letters and check-ups.Results The positive expression rate in pericarcinoma tissues,dysplasia and ESCC were significantly down-regulated((P

Objective To apply the microbial transformation to transforming the total saponins in the fruit of Panax ginseng (SFPG) and preparing ginsenoside compound K (C-K). Methods The four microbial strains m14, m3, m8, and m9 were screened and isolated from the soil in the botanic garden planted for P. ginseng and they were used for the microbial transformation of SFPG to optimize the strains. Taking C-K contents as index the microbial transformation was detected and analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Results The strain m14 was found to transform the SFPG efficiently to C-K at first. The optimal culturing and transformation conditions of m14 were obtained: time, 6 d; temperature, 30 ℃; revolution of cradle, 160 r/min; initial pH value, 5.5; substratum concentration, 120 mg/mL. Under the optimal condition, the content of C-K was 41.65 times as much as before transformation by m14. Conclusion The m14 is the most effective strain among the four fungal strains. It is the new way available for the C-K industrialized production.

Objective To investigate influence of mirtazapine on polysomnograpy (PSG) of depression dysphylaxia patient and treatment effect.Methods 22 dysphylaxia patients and 22 healthy contrast persons were detected by PSG.The group of dysphylaxia patients were re-detected PSG 6 weeks later after treatment by Mirtazapine.In order to evaluate the patient' symptoms of depression and early awakening,the scale of HAMD was utilized at the time before and after 2 weeks,6 weeks treatment by mirtazapine.To compare changes of PSG index,HAMD scores and dysphylaxia scores before and after treatment.Results Compared with healthy controls,there existed much deviation with dysphylaxia patients on PSG index.6 weeks after mirtazapine treatment,the PSG showed the sleeping latency had shortened to ( 16.9 ± 6.6) min,sleep efficiency had improved ( 85.4 ± 6.7 ) ％,awake time had shortened (27.7 ± 10.4)min,sleep maintenance rate had risen (87.9 ±5.3)％,decrease (9.7±4.1 )％ of the S1 sleeping stage percentage,S2 had increased ( 148.0 ±30.7)％,REM density had decreased (56.1 ±3.8)％.the difference was significant (P＜0.05).The scores of HAMD and early awakening after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment,the difference was significant (P＜0.01 ).Correlation analysis showed there was no significant correlation between the HAMD,dysphylaxia reduced rate and changes of PSG all indicators(P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion It may be one of the biological markers for dysphylaxi in shortened of REM sleep latency,prolonged of REM sleep time and increased of REM activity and density.There is no correlation between post-treatment changes of PSG.

Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) is a unique minimal integrin-binding sequence found within several glycoprotein ligands and also in snake-venom disintegrins. Adinbitor, a protein with 73 amino acid residues including 12 cysteins and an RGD motif, was cloned from Gloydius blomhoffi brevicaudus in my laboratory. As a new member of disintegrin family, adinbitor can inhibit both human platelet aggregation induced by ADP and angiogenensis in vivo and in vitro, the typical characters of disintegrin family. To separate the effect of inhibiting platelet aggregation from that of inhibiting angiogenensis, the motif KGD was introduced into adinbitor cDNA to replace RGD by site-directed and PCR-based mutagenesis. The recombinant protein (recombinant adinbitor (KGD)) was expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified through the His· Bind affinity chromatography. Recombinant adinbitor (KGD) could inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation with IC50 value of 85 nmol/L. Considerably, it was a more effective inhibitor on platelet aggregation than recombinant adinbitor (RGD), which has an IC50 of 150 nmol/L. Interestingly, recombinant adinbitor (KGD) has no potency in inhibiting angiogenesis in vivo compared with recombinant adinbitor (RGD). These findings showed that KGD containing adinbitor was more suitable for inhibiting ADP-induced human platelet aggregation as a potential and specific inhibitor of human platelet aggregation, which might have promising therapeutic potential as an antithrombotic agent.

Objective To observe the effects of five flavonoids include rutin(RU),dihydromyricetin(DMY),hesperetin(HP),daidzein(DA)and hydroxysaffor yellow A(HYSA)on myocardiocyte apoptosis induced by H2O2 and to explore their relationships with Keshan disease and the possible mechanism.Methods Primary cultured cardiocytes of neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,and flavonoids preincubation group.The cardiocyte apoptosis was examined by fluorescent staining,the rates of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins associated with apoptosis were observed:by Western blot.Results Compared with model group[(24.33±6.51)%],RU[(13.95±3.80)%],DA[(11.82±3.50)%],HYSA[(12.33±3.78)%]could decreased the rate of apoptosis(P＜0.05).The five flavonoids could up-regulate Bcl-2 expression,down-regulate Bax expression,and increase the Bcl-2/Bax ratio[RU(0.989±0.094),DMY(0.931±0.280),HP(0.980±0.095),DA(1.049±0.092),HYSA(1.031±0.039),vs model(0.490±0.046),the difference had statistical significances(P＜0.05)],but the Bcl-xl did not significantly changed(P＞0.05).Conclusions RU,DMY,HP,DA and HYSA have antiapoptotic effects on cardiomyocyte via regulating Bcl-2 and Bax,which gives us a hint in prevention and treatment of Keshan disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of moxa smoke versus tobaccosmoke on autonomous behaviors and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.Method Thirteen 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice constituted a blank control group. Twenty-seven ApoE-/-mice of the same age were randomized into ApoE-/-model, moxa smoke and tobacco smoke groups. The tobacco smoke and moxa smoke groups of mice were exposed to smoke 5-15 mg/m3circumstances. Every group of mice was intervened in 20 min. daily, six days a week, for atotal of 12 weeks. A behavioral test was conducted in week 13. The animals were then sacrificed to take the materials. Hippocampal GFAP in the brain was measured by an immunohistochemical method.ResultAutonomous activities were significantly more in theblank group than in the model group (P<0.05) and significantly fewer in the tobacco smoke group than in the blank group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in autonomous activities between the tobacco smoke group and the model or moxa smoke group (P>0.05). Moving distance was longer in the moxa smoke group than in the model group (P<0.05). Standing-up number was smaller in the moxa smoke group than in the blank group (P<0.05). Integral optical density of GFAP immune reaction products in the hippocampus was significantlyhigher in the model group of mice than in the blank and moxa smoke groups (P<0.05). Hippocampal GFAP expression was significantly higher in the group of mice than in the moxa smoke and blank groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxa smoke can increase the excitability of central nervous system in mice and reduce hippocampal GFAP expression in a mice model of Alzheimer disease.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the embryotoxicity of alkaloids in Senecionis Scandentis Hebra on in vitro cultured mouse embryos. Mouse whole embryo culture (WEC) was applied in this study. Post-implantation (8.5 d) mouse embryos were isolated from their mothers, and cultured in medium of immediately centrifuged serum (ICS) with different concentrations of seneciphylline (target concentrations were 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 μg x mL(-1)) or senkirkine (target concentrations were 50, 25 and 12.5 μg x mL(-1)) for 48 h. After culturing completed, the development and organic morphodifferentiation of the cultured embryos were evaluated microscopically. Treatment with seneciphylline and senkirkine had adverse effects on the development and organic morphodifferentiation of embryos. The effect also had clear dose-response. Alkaloidals in Senecionis Scandentis Hebra had embryotoxicity on cultured embryos, which indicated that pregnant people exposed to Senecionis Scandentis Hebra may get potential risk on fetus.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for dynamic adjustment of low-cost medicine lists and better guarantee of low-cost supply in those provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities[referred to provinces(autonomous regions or municipali-ties)]. METHODS:The varieties and frequency of medicines in the national and 31 province(autonomous regions or municipali-ties) lists were counted,and the influential factors were analyzed. RESULTS:The National Low-cost Medicine List included 533 varieties of medicines,including 283 western medicines,250 Chinese patent medicines and 60 exclusive varieties. There were total-ly 973 varieties of medicines in the 31 province(autonomous regions or municipalities),including 332 western medicines,630 Chi-nese patent medicines,11 ethnic medicines and 71 protected Chinese medicines. There was no big difference in the varieties be-tween the eastern and western areas,and less in the central areas. Guangxi province had the largest number of selected medicines (345 varieties) and Jiangxi province had the smallest (10 varieties). In all the varieties,Chinese medicines had a larger number than western medicines,and also better concentration. Ketotifen was the most frequent western medicine and Tongbianling capsule was the most frequent Chinese patent medicine,which appeared 30 and 29 times separately. The Provincial Low-cost Medicine Lists and the Essential Medicine Supplement Lists had a poor coincidence rate,and there was a moderate correlation between the varieties and the number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the province(autonomous regions or municipalities). CONCLUSIONS:The adjustment of low-cost medicine lists should be combined with these in province(autonomous regions or municipalities) near-by,and notice the linkage with national essential medicine system to fundamentally ensure the clinical medication requirements of patients.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the imaging characteristics of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) and their correlation with histopathological findings.

METHODSCT and MRI imaging and histopathological characteristics of five patients with hepatic EHE were retrospectively reviewed and the correlation of their imaging characteristics with pathological findings was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 92 lesions were found in the 5 patients, all presenting with multiple nodules. All the 92 lesions were located within a 2-cm zone heneath the hepatic capsule, i.e., the shortest distance from the horder of lesions to the hepatic capsule. 28 of the 92 lesions showed the "capsular retraction" sign. 36 lesions were found in three patients receiving MRI. 77.8% of the 36 lesions demonstrated the "halo" sign on a fat-suppression T2- weighted image, while 91.7% after contrast enhancement. A peripheral dark rim was found in 91.7% of the lesions on a fat-suppression T2-weighted image. In addition, 36.1% of the lesions showed slight internal or edge enhancement at the hepatohiliary phase. In the two patients receiving CT examination, 7 of 56 lesions demonstrated the "halo" sign.

CONCLUSIONSHepatic EHE may manifest as nodular lesions with predilection of peripheral subcapsular growth and nodular confluence, together with "halo" sign and " capsular retraction". The peripheral dark rim on a fat-suppression T2-weighted image and slight enhancement at the hepatobiliary phase can help to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this hepatic tumor. MRI is superior to CT imaging to denict their intra-lesional characteristics.

Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To evaluate the effect of intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) on parotid function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). Methods Eighty-three NPC patients received prima-ry IMRT between 2001 and 2003. Xerostomia before radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, at 6-month, 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-year after radiotherapy were investigated, respectively. The relation between xerostomia and parotid dose distribution was analyzed. Results Of all the patients,4,31,31 and 17 had stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and ⅣA disease, respectively. Sixteen patients received chemo-radiotherapy. The median followed-up time was 65 months. The 5-year local control and regional control rate were 96% and 95% ,respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 80%. The mild xerostomia rate at the seven time points was 42%, 51%, 71%, 77%, 58%, 38% and 26%. The corresponding moderate xerostomia rate was 52%, 53%, 21%,8%, 3%, 2% and 2%, respectively. No serious xerostomia was observed. The mean dose of the bilateral parotid glands was 34.34 Gy. Xerostomia at 6-month after radiotherapy was positively correlated with the mean dose of the parotid glands, and D50 was the independent factor in predicting the xerostomia. Parotid function was well protected when the mean dose and D50 were no more than 33 Gy and 29 Gy,respectively. Conclusions IMRT can improve the local-regional control of NPC and protect the parotid glands from radiation-induced in-jury.