Objective To explore the rate of incidence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)in patients with idiopathic in- tracranial hypertension(IIH).Design Restrospective case series.Participants 92 cases with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.Meth- otis All patients diagnosed with papilledema from January 1,2000 through May 1,2007 at our ophthalmology center.Consecutive pa- tients with a diagnosis of papilledema were identified.Patients with space-occupying lesions,hydrocepbalus,or meningitis were excluded. The remaining patients were evaluated with lumbar puncture,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and magnetic resonance venography (MRV).Main Outcome Measures The rate of incidence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)in patients with idiopathic in- tracranial hypertension(IIH).Results Excluding patients with mass lesions,meningitis,or hydrocephalus,the occurrence of CVST was 7 (7.6%)of 92 patients with presumed IIH.One additional patients had a diagnosis of suspected CVST.Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was diagnosed in 1 of the 7 patients with MRI alone,whereas it was evident in all 7 patients with MRV.Conclusions Cerebral venous si- nus thrombosis accounts for 7.6% of patients with presumed IIH in our ophthalmology services.Magnetic resonance venography in com- bination with MRI is recommended to identify this subgroup of patients.(Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16:410-413)

Objective To observe the effects of iguratimod ( IT) combined with methotrexate ( MTX) in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis ( rRA) . Methods Sixty patients with rRA were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each group) . The cases in treatment group received 50 mg.d-1 of iguratimod and 10 mg of MTX for 16 weeks. The cases in control group were treated by 10-15 mg of MTX. DAS28 was analyzed. Levels of VEGF and endostatin ( ES) were quantified. Results In the treatment group,after 16-week treatment,DAS28,levels of VEGF and ES were (3.0±1.2),(818.9±178.8) pg.mL-1, (337.8±132.6) ng.mL-1,and those in the control group were (5.7±1.9),(1000.2±245.9) pg.mL-1,(253.8±77.8) ng.mL-1,respectively. In the treatment group,DAS28 and VEGF after the treatment were significantly decreased as compared with those before the treatment ( P<0.01) . The decrement was more significant in the treatment group than in the control group ( P<0.01) . At the 16th week of treatment,ES was significantly increased as compared with that before the treatment ( P<0.01) , and there was a significant difference between the treatment group and the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Iguratimod combined with MTX have a prominent effect on rRA with high safety. The efficacy of IT on RA might be related with decreasing VEGF release,increasing ES production and alleviating synovium angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mifepristone on cell proliferation of human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma cell lines DU-145, PC-3 in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODSThe A values of the prostate cancer cells DU-145 and PC-3 in each group with various concentrations (1, 10, 50, 100 micromol/L) of mifepristone at various time intervals (24-120 h) were detected with the colorimetric 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The apoptosis rates of the DU-145 and PC-3 cells treated with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone for 24 h and 48 h were assessed by flow cytometry analysis technique. Immunohistochemical technique was used to determine the expression of bax, bcl-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins after treatment with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone.

RESULTSThe A values of the cancer cells treated with 1 micromol/L of mifepristone were similar to that of controls, while those of the cells treated with 10 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L and 100 micromol/L of mifepristone were significantly different from that of controls (P < 0.01). Mifepristone markedly inhibited cell proliferation of prostate cancer cells DU-145 and PC-3 on a dose- and time-depending manner. The apoptosis rates of 10 micromol/L mifepristone for DU-145 cell line at 24 h, 48 h were respectively 15.3%, 30.4% with flow cytometry method and then PC-3 cell line were respectively 22.2%, 32.0%. Immunohistochemical technique showed the expression of bcl-2 and VEGF in the DU-145 and PC-3 cells treated with 10 micromol/L of mifepristone were significantly decreased, and the expression of bax was increased.

CONCLUSIONSMifepristone can induce apoptosis of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 in vitro. The apoptosis effect is time-and-dose dependent. Mifepristone could initiate a cell death command via apoptotic pathways decreasing the expression of VEGF protein, downregulating the expression of bcl-2 protein and increasing the expression of bax protein.

Androgens ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colorimetry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Hormone Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Mifepristone ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To explore a way to induce sputum from the deep tracheal and to analyze the secretion. Methods A total of 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group received 3% hypertonic saline aerosolized, while the experiment group relieved 3% hypertonic saline, combined with Ambroxol Hydrochloride. Results The experiment group induced more sputum and had high success rate. Difference between the two groups was significant (P <0. 01). Conclusions It is satisfied to select the method of % hypertonic saline, combined with Ambroxol Hydrochloride. for inducing sputum among patients without sputum or viscous sputum

OBJECTIVETo detect CCL20 and CXCR4 expressions in epidermis infected with condyloma acuminatum (CA) and normal epidermis and investigate the effect of their expressions on Langerhans cells in CA epidermis.

METHODSGene expression of CCL20 and CXCR4 in 3 epidermal CA lesions and in 3 normal epidermis specimens were detected using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays HG-U 133A 2.0, and the protein levels of CCL20 and CXCR4 in these specimens were measured by Western blotting.

RESULTSMicroarray analysis revealed markedly down-regulated mRNA expressions of CCL20 and CXCR4 in the 3 epidermal CA lesions as compared with those in the normal specimens. Western blot analysis showed that the protein expressions of CCL20 and CXCR4 in the CA lesions were significantly lower than those in normal epidermis.

CONCLUSIONThe protein and mRNA expressions of CCL20 and CXCR4 are markedly down-regulated in epidermal CA lesions, which may contribute to decreased number and backflow disturbance of Langerhans cells in these lesions.

Adult ; Blotting, Western ; Chemokine CCL20 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Condylomata Acuminata ; genetics ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Epidermis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

AIM: Accommodation is one of the most important functions of human eye, while its mechanism is still under discussion. This paper aimed to study accommodation mechanism with numerical simulation.METHODS: A simulation model was constructed to study the mechanism of accommodation based on the experimental data derived from published resources. The displacement and pressure are applied on the model to study the deformation of lens during accommodating.RESULTS: The simulation showed that, as the eye was accommodating, the thickness of the lens increased linearly,and the lens diameter decreased linearly. The optical power of the lens increased as the accommodation increased. This result was accord with the public facts in accommodation.Furthermore, the pressure was found to have a great influence on the shape of the lens and the optical power. The lens became thinner and flatter as the pressure increased and the pressure caused a remarkable increase of lens' optical power.CONCLUSION: The outcome of this paper is consistent with the Helmholtz's hypothesis on accommodation to some extent. The analytical model presented in this paper can be used in the theoretical study of the accommodation mechanism of the human lens.

To investigate the mechanism and biologic effects of 37 nm magnetic nano FeOx powders (MNPs) on human hepatoma-bearing nude mice. 37 nm MNPs were prepared by coprecipitation methods and then injected into human hepatoma (Bel-7402) bearing-nude mice through the tail vein. After injection of MNPs, the mice were first exposed under static magnetic field and then treated under extremely low frequency altering-electric magnetic field directing to the tumor area. The migration and trafficking of MNPs were determined by MMR. Tumor growth was monitored with calipers every 5 days and tumor volume was calculated on the basis of three-dimensioned measurements. The apoptosis of tumor cells was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis. The expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins Bcl-2, Bax and HSP27 were determined using western-blot analysis. Static magnetic field could direct the migration and trafficking of MNPs to the tumor site with a higher ratio of 98.9%. Extremely Low Frequency Electric-Magnetic Field (EMF) treatment could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and prolong the survive time of tumor-bearing mice injected with MNPs. In addition, the survival time of tumor-bearing mice and percentages of prohibition on tumor cell growth were 27.4+/-0.7 days and 37.5+/-0.8% (F = 0.005, P is less than to 0.05), respectively. The results of flow cytometry analyses showed that about 18.1+/-0.6% (F = 0.030, P is less than to 0.05) of tumor cells were induced into early apoptosis. Furthermore, expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were significantly induced by MNPs under EMF treatment. The ratio of Bcl/Bax in both MNPs and EMF treatment group was 0.07+/-0.01, which was much lower than that of control group (0.23+/-0.02) (F = 0.016, P is less than to 0.05). Heat shock protein-27 (Hsp-27) was not significantly induced in different treatment groups. Injection of MNPs with EMF exposure on human hepatoma-bearing nude mice could significantly prolong the survival time, inhibit the tumor proliferation and growth, and induce tumor cells into apoptosis.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biological Products ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Magnetic Fields ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Powders ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Iron Compounds ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Nanostructures

Objective To analyze the viral genetic characteristics of hantaviruses carried by Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and its relationship with Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Seoul virus (SEOV) viruses as well as to identify the natural host of Khabarovsk virus (KHAV).Methods HV specific RNAs were detected by RT-PCR.Complete S and M segment were amplified from the RNA-positive samples.Phylogenetic analysis were performed to estimate the genetic characterization and the relationship with other hantaviruses.Results Fifty two Microtus maximowixzii voles were captured in Yakeshi areas.Of those voles,hanta-viral RNA was tested positive in 5 samples (9.62％).Complete S and M segments sequences were obtained from 5 and 2 lung samples,respectively.The complete S segment was consisted of 1848 to 1861 bp,and the M segment consisted of 3662 bp.These viruses were closely related to each other with 92.5％-96.4％ for the S segment sequences and 88.9％-95.4％ for the M segment sequences.They shared a higher identity with KHAV found previously in Yakeshi and KHAV of Russia.However,they were obviously different from the other hantavirus species.The 5 strains had the consistent secondary structure of nucleocapsid protein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP).When further comparing their secondary structures with those of HTNV and SEOV,our results indicated that there were no obvious differences in NP between KHAV and both HNTV,SEOV but with obvious difference in GP.Based on the S and M segment sequences,phylogenetic analyses revealed that these 5 strains clustered together with KHAV and formed a distinct lineage.Furthermore,all known KHAV strains could be divided into two small branches with a nucleotide divergence more than 5.3％.Conclusion Our research data revealed that KHAV was highly endemic among Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi area which supported the notion that Microtus maximowixzii had been the natural host of KHAV in the area.

Objective To examine the mutagenicity and antioxidant activity of Proanthocyanidin( PC). Methods Three mutagenicity tests including Ames test,bone marrow micronucleus test and sperm malformation test in mice were conducted. According to the level of erythrocyte MDA,11-month-old rats were randomly divided into five groups including blank control,solvent control and 41. 67,83. 33,250. 0 mg/kg test groups. The content of erythrocyte MDA,SOD and GSH-PX activity of each dosage group were then observed after administration of PC to test the antioxidant activity. Results In all three mutagenicity tests,no mutagenic effect was observed in any PC - treated group. Compared with two control groups,the content of erythrocyte MDA was significantly decreased in 83. 33 and 250. 0 mg/kg groups(both P<0. 05) and GSH-Px activity was significantly increased in 250 mg/kg group(P<0. 05). Conclusion PC had no mutagenic effect but showed antioxidant activity under our experimental conditions.