Background Recombinant hirudin variant Ⅲ(rHV3) can effectively prevent galactose-induced human lens epithelial cells LECs injury,but little is known about the molecular mechanism of its action.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of rHV3 on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in damaged LECs induced by galactose.Methods The rHV3 was extracted by our research group,and the biological activity of rHV3 was identified by titration of thrombase according to Markwardt's method.Human LECs (SRA01/04) were cultured using 125×10-3 mol/L D-galactose+10% FBS+D/F12 medium to establish the damaged human LECs model.rHV3 was added into the medium of the damaged human LECs model.Human LECs were cultured in D/F12 medium containing 10% FBS as normal control.The expression of apoptosis-related genes,such as aldose reductase (AR),bax,bcl2 and p53,in LECs at the mRNA level was detected using RT-PCR.The abundance ratio of target genes was presented with the absorbance (A) of gene mRNA/GAPDH mRNA.Results Compared to the normal control group,the A values of AR mRNA/GAPDH mRNA,bax mRNA/GAPDH mRNA and p53 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA were significantly elevated in model group (t=3.90E-06,t=8.44E-04,t=5.15E-08,P＜0.01).However,in the rHV3-treated group,the A values of AR mRNA/GAPDH mRNA,bax mRNA/GAPDH mRNA and p53 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA were lower than those of model group (t=5.90E-06,t=1.51E-04,t=3.42E-06,P＜0.01).The bcl2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA was markedly downregulated in the model group when compared with the normal control group (t=1.86E-05,P＜0.01);while after rHV3 addition,bcl2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA increased in comparison with the model group (t=8.56E-05,P＜0.01).Conclusion 125×10-3mol/L D-galactose induces the damage and apoptosis of human LECs.rHV3 likely plays a protective function on D-galactose-induced damage of human LECs by inhibiting the polyol pathway and mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Objective To present the experience in surgical treatment method and clinic application of axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis in infant.and discuss its etiology.Methods From 1995 to 2003, axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis mass in 14 hospitalized cases were resectioned.Results The incision healing was better in 3 cases of regional lymphadenectomy and 11 cases of axillary lyphoidectomy.The tuberculous lymphadenitis was not relapse during patients were followed-up.All discharge patients were not suffer from extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusions The prompt regional lymphadenectomy and axillary lyphoidectomy are preferred to axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis and suspicious tuberculous lymphadenitis.It is effective to avoid the patients suffering from tuberculosis in other organs of human body and eliminate antituberculous drugs lesion to important organs of body.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of double source multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in visualization of cardiac veins in patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODSThirty-five patients with chronic heart failure (aged 65.4 ± 8.8, 21 males and 14 females) were enrolled in the study. In Group A, MDCT and retrograde coronary venography (RCV) were performed consecutively; in Group B anterograde visualization of the coronary venous and RCV were performed.

RESULTSCoronary sinus, GCV and MCV of all individuals were identified in MDCT. LVPV was observed in 65% patients of Group A, and 66.7% patients of Group B. The correlation coefficient between MDCT and RCV was 0.944, and that between CVG and RCV was 0.42.

CONCLUSIONNon-invasive evaluation of cardiac veins with double source CT is feasible and may be used in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; methods ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of smoking on the periodontium and level of aspartate aminotransferase in gingival cervical fluid (GCF-AST).

METHODSA proportion matched case-control filtration was performed in examined population, college students, outpatients from 1999 May to 2001 March 115 smokers aged from 23 to 65 years (102 men and 13 women) and 90 non-smokers aged from 25 to 70 years (80 men and 10 women) were chosen. Debris index (DI), calculus index (CI), periodontal disease index (PDI), GCF-AST were measured.

RESULTSNo obvious differences were observed in DI in smokers (0 degrees, 27.2%; 5 degrees, 5.0%) and non-smokers (0 degrees, 27.8%; 5 degrees, 4.2%),whereas obvious differences were found in CI in smokers and non-smokers. The percentages of patients without calculus were lower in smokers (9.8%) than in non-smokers (20.0%). The percentages of patients with weighty calculus were higher in smokers (25.4%) than in non-smokers (12.8%). The PDI values in smokers were higher than in non-smokers. The percentages of their normal periodontium were lower in smokers (9.6%) than in non-smokers (20.8%). The percentages of their periodontitis were higher in smokers (38.5%) than in non-smokers (25.8%). The smoking quantity were positively related to periodontitis (P < 0.001). No obvious differences were found in the level of GCF-AST with same PDI (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSmoking is considered as one of the risk factors in the prevalence of periodontal disease, but may not have any direct effect on GCF-AST.

Adult ; Aged ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; enzymology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontitis ; etiology ; Periodontium ; enzymology ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo assess the influence of polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene on response to antidepressant treatment.

METHODSTwo hundred and eight one Chinese Han patients have received single antidepressant drugs for at least 6 weeks, among whom 275 were followed up for 8 weeks. Hamilton depression scale 17 (HAMD-17) was used to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms and therapeutic effects. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MTHFR gene were determined using gene chips. Associations of single loci and haplotypes with response to treatment were analyzed using an Unphased 3.0.13 software.

RESULTSNo significant differences in gender, age, year of education, family history, episode times, and antidepressant agents were found between responders and non-responders (all P U+003E 0.05), while the baseline scores of HAMD-17 was significantly different(t=2.891, P=0.004). There was also no significant difference between age, years of education, family history, baseline scores of HAMD-17 and antidepressant agents between remitters and non-remitters (both P U+003E 0.05), while proportion of male patients was significantly higher in non-remission group than remission group (t=2.381, P=0.018), and episode times in non-remission group was significantly higher (t=-1.983, P=0.049). Single locus association analysis has found no significant association between SNPs rs1801131 and rs1801133 in the MTHFR gene with antidepressant response (P U+003E 0.05). On the other hand, haplotype A-C of MTHFR gene (rs1801131 and rs1801133) was significantly associated with antidepressant response in total group (U+03C7 2=11.39, P=0.0007), male subgroup (U+03C7 2=8.767, P=0.003) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) subgroup (U+03C7 2=10.51, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONParticular haplotype of MTHFR gene may be related with antidepressant effect, in which the haplotype (rs1801131, rs1801133) A-C type may be associated with better antidepressant efficacy, particularly in males and patients receiving SNRIs drugs.

Adult ; Alleles ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Sex Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the B-NHL-BFM-90 protocol in the treatment of Chinese childhood and adolescent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL).

METHODSForty-two untreated childhood and adolescent B-NHL were enrolled in the present study. Of them 18 cases were Burkitt's lymphoma, 16 diffuse large B cell lymphoma and 8 anaplastic lymphoma. There were 10 cases in stage II and 32 in stage III/IV. The patients were grouped by risk factors into low, medium and high risk groups. All patients were treated with the B-NHL-BFM 90 (Berlin-Frankfurt- Münster) protocol. The low risk group received A, B courses for 4 cycles, the medium risk group AA, BB courses for 6 cycles, and the high risk group AA, BB, CC courses for 6 cycles.

RESULTSComplete remission (CR) was obtained in 37 patients (88%), and partial remission (PR) in 5 (12%). Of the 5 PR patients, I received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 3 received radiotherapy for residual disease and 1 just under watching. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis, especially in AA, BB and CC cycles, but was tolerant and manageable. Median follow-up was 20 (4 - 89) months. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyse survival data. Two year event free survival (EFS) for all patients was 86. 24%, being 100% for stage II and 80.95% for stage III/IV.

CONCLUSIONShort term and intensive chemotherapy can improves the efficacy and survival rate of childhood and adolescent B-NHL, especially for advanced stage patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo reverse the multidrug resistance (MDR) property of carcinoma cells by blocking transcription of activating sites of mdr-1.

METHODSBreast carcinoma cells were transinfected with several antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) complementary to mdr-1 by lipofectin. RT-PCR was used to detect the production of mdr-1mRNA. The expression of P-glycoprotein (gp) was then detected by immunohistochemistry and the function of P-gp was detected by rhodamine123 retention.

RESULTSForty-eight hours after transfection, mdr-1 index of cells treated by ASODN complementary to MA zone (major initiation start zone), MI (minor initiation start zone), C zone (CAAT box), G zone (GC box) of mdr-1 gene was 1.4, 1.9, 1.6 and 2.1 respectively. The rate of P-gp protein expression in treated cells was 14%, 43%, 26% and 39% respectively. The intracellular Rh123 retention in treated cells was 125%, 83%, 102% and 77% respectively. There was significant difference between cells treated by ASODN complementary to MA zone and C zone and drug-resistant cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe ASODN complementary to MA zone and C zone of mdr-1 gene can reverse MDR of drug-resistant cells to various extent, amongst which the former is more effective. Down-regulating transcription of mdr-1 by blocking transcription activating sites can reduce the expression of mdr-1mRNA and P-gp, and thus reversing MDR of carcinoma cells. The ASODN complementary to MI zone, G zone of mdr-1 however do not significantly reverse the MDR property.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neimadian on pain after operation of four limbs.

METHODSSixty-two patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 31 cases in each group. The observation group were treated with electroacupuncture at Neimadian for 30 min, and the control group with oral administration of tramadoli hydrochloridum. Changes of pain within 24 hours were observed.

RESULTSThe analgesic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnalgesic effect of acupuncture at Neimadian on pain after operation of four limbs is superior to that of oral administration of tramadoli.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Pain Management ; Postoperative Period

The neuroprotective effect of propofol against intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats was investigated. ICH was induced in rats by infusion of collagenase (Type VII) 0.5 U (1 U x microL(-1)) into the left caudate nucleus. Three doses of propofol were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) 10 min before collagenase infusion. Effects of propofol on neurological behavioral scores, brain water content (BWC), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue, expression level of caspase-3 were studied. In propofol groups (30 and 100 mg x kg(-1)), the neurological behavioral score, BWC and the content of MDA were significantly lower than those in ICH group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), whereas the activity of SOD was higher than that in ICH group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, propofol (15, 30, and 100 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited caspase-3 expression in dose-dependent manner (r = 0.877). Brain damages caused by ICH in rats can be alleviated by propofol, which mechanism might be attributed to its antioxidant activity.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; chemically induced ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Collagenases ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism