OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Ray cartilage glycosaminoglycans (RCG) on the expression of MMP-9 in Lewis lung carcinoma of mice.

METHODThe model of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma was induced. The experimental mice were randomly divided into normal saline group, RCG groups at varied concentrations and CTX group. Tumor growth state was observed, and tumor inhibitory rate of primary tumor and number of lung metastasis focus were measured. The expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein in Lewis lung carcinoma was determined with RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTAs compared with normal saline group, tumor growth curves in RCG groups were smooth, there were significant differences of inhibitory rates of primary tumor and number of lung metastasis focus between RCG groups and normal saline group, and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels in RCG groups were reduced significantly.

CONCLUSIONRCG can inhibit effectively the growth and metastasis of implanted Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice, which is probably attributed to reducing the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cartilage ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glycosaminoglycans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Skates (Fish)

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to examine the regulatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on endoplasmic reticulum stress in alveolar epithelial cells of rats with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by oleic acid (OA). METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group, oleic acid-induced ALI group (OA group), oleic acid-induced ALI with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) pretreatment group (OA+NaHS group), and sodium hydrosulfide treatment group (NaHS group). Rats of each group were further subdivided into 3 subgroups. Index of quantitative assessment of histological lung injury (IQA), wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and H2S level of lung tissues were measured. The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and α-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (elF2α) in lung tissues were measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: The IQA score and W/D ratio of lung tissues at the three time points significantly increased in rats injected with OA, but significantly decreased in other rats injected with OA and NaHS. The level of H2S in lung tissue at the three time points significantly decreased in rats injected with OA, but significantly increased in other rats injected with both OA and NaHS. GRP78 and elF2αdecreased in rats injected with OA, but increased in other rats injected with both OA and NaHS, especially at 4-hour and 6-hour time points. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that H2S could promote alveolar epithelial cell endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with ALI.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical roles of Jiawei Shentong Zhuyu Decoction (JSZD) in preventing the occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and to observe its effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSTotally 100 patients prepared for surgical operation due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random number table, 50 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group additionally took JSZD, one dose per day, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those in the control group took Celecoxib Capsule (200 mg each time, once per day) and Mecobalamin Tablet (0.5 mg each time, 3 times per day). They only took Mecobalamin Tablet from the 11th day. All patients were treated for 30 days. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was performed before treatment, at week 1, after treatment, at 6 months of followed-ups, and at 12 months of followed-ups. And the levels of TNF-alpha in the peripheral blood were observed before treatment and at one month after treatment.

RESULTSTotally 93 patients completed the followed-up study. The JOA scores were improved after treatment, at 6 and 12 months of followed-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The JOA score at 6 months of followed-ups was superior in the treatment group to that of the control group (P < 0.05). Five patients (accounting for 10.6%) suffered from FBSS in the treatment group, while 9 (accounting for 19.6%) suffered from FBSS in the control group. The treatment group was superior to the control group (P < 0.05). The TNFalpha level was improved after treatment in the two groups. Of them, the improvement of TNF-alpha in the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of JSZD was effective for preventing the occurrence of FBSS, and improved the serum TNF-alpha level.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

The chemical structures of P1 A was identified by complete acid hydrolysis, partial acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, methylation analysis, IR and NMR. The results showed that P1 A had a backbone consisting rhamnose, mannose, glucose and galactose. The side chain possessed arabinose and xylose. 1-->, 1-->6 and non-reducing terminal linkages existed in polysaccharide P1A, but there are doubling amount of 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. Oxidable linkage of P1 A accounted for 45%, and inoxidable linkage of P1A accounted for 55%. Mannose, glucose and galactose were mainly linked by 1-->2 linkage. Rhamnose, arabinose and xylose were mainly linked by 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. PlA contained beta-Glc(1,6)-,beta-Gal(1,3)-,beta-Man(1,4)-beta-Rha,-Glc(1,4)-, Glc(1)-,-Gal(1,4)- and Man(1)-.
Acanthaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Molecular Weight ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods From 2007 Aug.to 2009 Nov.,22 patients( 10 males,12 females) with sarcoidosis,confirmed by pathological study and clinical follow-up,underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging.The imaging patterns of intrathoracic and extrathoracic lesions were analyzed.The patterns were classified as the typical or atypical ( symmetrical or asymmetrical FDG accumulation and enlargement of hilar lymph nodes) based on PET and CT separately.Nonparametric McNemar test,independent t-test and Fisher exact test were applied for statistical analysis.Results For typical pattern vs atypical pattem identification,PET was significantly different from CT ( 18 and 4 vs 12 and 10,P =0.031 ).In those with atypical pattern demonstrated by CT alone at hilar region,PET showed either symmetrical or asymmetrical accumulation of FDG.Except for mediastinal lymph nodes involvement,lung parenchyma was the second common site ( 19/22,86.4％ ),followed by lymph nodes at abdomen and (or) pelvis ( 12/22,54.5％ ).Conclusion The imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful for the diagnosis of atypical sarcoidosis on CT image alone.

Objective To investigate the management of pregnancy and cardiovascular complications in women with Marian syndrome(MFS).Methods From October 1994 to September 2006, 30 patients with MFS undergoing cardiovascular surgery were studied retrospectively.Results In the labor of 46 offsprings given birth by 30 women,5 cases(11%)were performed elective cesarean section because of the existence of aortic complication,and 12(26%)were diagnosed as MFS.The gestation in two patients was terminated due to deterioration of aortic abnormalities during their third trimester,and they received surgical treatment with Bcntall procedure.Two developed acute aortic dissection during labor and post delivery respectively.With the manipulation of anticoagulation peripartum,one who had the implantation with mechanical prosthesis went through pregnancy and delivery uneventfully.The average duration between delivery and cardiovascular surgery was(15?9)years.Conclusions Vaginal delivery can be done safely in patients with the MFS who do not have or have mild cardiovascular system abnormalities,aortic dissection,or other important cardiac abnormalities,cesarean section should be the preferred method of delivery.Women with MFS are at increased risk for dissection and congestive heart failure during pregnancy and should be counseled before pregnancy about these risks,as well as the inheritance of the condition.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of autologous fascia as a scaffold for the reconstruction of skeletal muscle in vivo.

METHODSTwenty-eight healthy New Zealand rabbits were employed in the study. The anterior tibial muscle in both legs were divided to create a gap of 10 mm in each muscle. One leg was used in the experiment (E, n = 28), while the contralateral as self-control (C). The legs in C group were further divided into 3 groups (C1, C2 and C3). While defects in the midportion of anterior tibial muscle in the hind legs were created in all rabbits. In E group, each defect was filled with a tubule made of autologous fascia lata, and the fascial tubule was filled with tiny muscular granules (< 1 mm x 1 mm x 1 mm). In C1 group (n = 10), the defect was also filled with fascial tubule but with no muscle filling. The defect in C2 group (n = 10) was only filled with muscle granules without fascial tubule. The defect in C3 group (n = 8) received no treatment. The survival rate of the transplantation was grossly observed, and the tissue samples were harvested for histological and ultra-structural examination and immunohistochemical identification of desmin at 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 post-operation weeks. The expression level of alpha-actin DNA in the tissue samples from the midportion of grafted fascia was assessed by RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) in E and C1 groups.

RESULTS(1) Survival rate of the transplantation: In E group, it was 93.33% with near normal tissue contour in the grafting area. The muscle defects were not completely repaired in C1, C2 and C3 groups. (2) Under light and electronic microscopy, marked proliferation of muscular cells surrounding fibrous tissue could be discerned at 2 and 3 post-operation weeks in E group, while only necrotic tissue and fibrosis were observed in C1 and C2 groups, and no definite tissue could be discernible in C3 group. (3) Immunohistochemical staining revealed that over 85% of the cells were positive for desmin in E group, while only less than 25% in C1 group. (4) The expression level of alpha-actin DNA was significantly higher in E group than that in C2 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that autologous fascia as a scaffold is beneficial for skeletal muscle reconstruction in vivo.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery ; Rabbits ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Transplantation, Autologous

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of (18)F-FLT positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosis and staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients and compare with CT. Thirty-six patients with DLBCL in our hospital from September 2008 to December 2009 were prospectively evaluated. All 36 patients underwent whole body and head (18)F-FLT PET/CT and CT (chest, abdomen cavity and pelvis) were studied before therapy. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of every single focus and the SUV(max) of aortic arch blood pool were measured and used to calculate the median T/MB value (tumor SUV(max)/mediastinal SUV(max)) of every patient. The results showed that the consistency of (18)F-FLT PET/CT and CT examinations in focus of DLBCL was 79.10%, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accurate rate of (18)F-FLT PET/CT were 96.65%, 100%, 100%, 61.11% and 96.82%, respectively, which were much higher than that of CT (85.44%, 57.14%, 96.70%, 21.05% and 83.64%). It is concluded that the (18)F-FLT PET/CT is a good means for DLBCL diagnosis and staging, which is more sensitive and specific than CT.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore Effects of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) on markers of metablic nuclear receptors, i.e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs), liver X receptor (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXRs) in type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension. METHOD Study population consisted of 200 type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension and 50 healthy subjects, all of whom were randomly assigned to MCPs-treated diabetics (n = 50), placebo-treated diabetics (n = 50), MCPs-treated diabetics with hypertension (n=50), placebo-treated diabetics with hypertension (n = 50), and healthy controls (n = 50). MCPs or placebo (water-soluble starch) were given daily before breakfast and bedtime over three months. Levels of free fatty acid, cytochrome P450, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, bradykinin, NO, and Prostacyclin were determined before intervention, and 1.5 months, and 3 months after intervention. Hypoglycemia and the endpoint events during the study were recorded and compared among the study groups.

RESULTAt the end of the study period, MCPs-treated patients showed marked improvement compared with patients receiving placebo. The protection exerted by MCPs seemed more profound in diabetics than in diabetics with hypertension. In particular, after MCPs intervention, levels of free fatty acid, hs-CRP, resistin, Prostacyclin decreased significantly in diabetics and tended to decrease in diabetic and hypertensive patients whereas levels of cytochrome P450, leptin, NO tended to decrease in diabetics with/without hypertension. Meanwhile, levels of adiponectin and bradykinin rose markedly in diabetics following MCPs administration.

CONCLUSIONMCPs could offer protection against diabetes and hypertension by affecting levels of molecules involved in diabetic and hypertensive pathogenesis. Regulation on metabolic nuclear receptors by MCPs may be the possible underlying mechanism for its observed effects in the study. Further study into its action may shed light on development of new drugs based on bioactive peptides from marine sources.

Adipokines ; blood ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Bradykinin ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Collagen ; therapeutic use ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Epoprostenol ; blood ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Marine Biology ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is indicated for angina with coronary stenosis. However, PCI for asymptomatic coronary stenosis remains controversial. We prospectively followed a group of patients for four years who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). We hypothesized that the results of this trial would reliably reflect the natural outcome of the coronary disease.

METHODSConsecutive patients who underwent CCTA from June 2008 to May 2009 were selected. Those who could not be reached by telephone, had significant angina, had CT images that were not interpretable, or poor kidney and left ventricular (LV) function were excluded. The patients were divided into five groups: group A normal CCTA without stenosis, group B mild stenosis (1% - 49%), group C moderate stenosis (50% - 74%), group D severe stenosis (= 75%) and they were treated with optimal medical therapy (OMT) or PCI. The group E had PCI before the CCTA examination. The patients were then followed for MACE after different treatments. MACE included acute myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF) and death.

RESULTSThe patient population consisted of 419 patients. The follow-up time was (51 ± 5) months. The age was (60 ± 31) years. Male made up 67.78% of the population (n = 284). A total of 51 cases of MACE occurred including 25 MI, eight HF and 18 all-cause deaths. There was no MACE in group A. Although MACE occurred in two patients in group B, they were not attributed to cardiac death. We further compared the MACE in groups C-E and no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). However, a difference was detected among patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), stable angina pectoris (SAP), re-hospitalization, and cerebrovascular events from groups A-E (P < 0.05). The plaque scores were used to predict MACE. The scores progressively increased significantly with lesion severity (P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve (ROC) was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity in predicting MACE. Our scores predicted MI with area of 0.76, predicted HF with area of 0.77, and predicted death with area of 0.70.

CONCLUSIONSNormal and mild lesions had very few events. With increased stenosis the MACE rate increased progressively. PCI did not significantly reduce the MACE in comparison with OMT in asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, UAP, re-hospitalization, and re-PCI were significantly increased in patients who were treated with PCI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome