Using the superabsorbent of starch graft sodium acrylate copolymer as the only carbon source, 4 excellent strains which can utilize the synthesized superabsorbent were obtained from soil after one month's screening and purification, then the taxa of the strain were identified, i.e., two kind of actinomycetes, yeast and mould.The result shows that the superabsorbent can be degraded successfully.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of plasma D-dimer levels with the response to first-line chemotherapy and the prognosis of patients with serous ovarian cancer (SOC). Methods:The preoperative plasmic D-dimer levels of 143 patients with prima-ry SOC were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2008 and May 2010. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of plasmic D-dimer levels. Group A consisted of 100 patients with a normal plasmic D-dimer level of≤0.3 mg/L. Group B included 43 patients with an increased plasmic D-dimer level of>0.3 mg/L. The correlations of the different plasmic D-dimer levels with clinicopathological features, therapeutic effects, and surviv-al outcomes were further analyzed. Results:The plasmic D-dimer levels were positively correlated with the staging of the Federation of International Gynecology and Obstetrics, residual tumor size, presence of malignant ascites, preoperative serum CA125 level, and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Group B exhibited a significantly lower (P<0.001) complete response (CR) rate of 34.88%(15/43) than group A, which yielded a CR rate of 73.00%(73/100). The progression-free survival and overall survival rates of group B were significantly lower than those of group A (25.58%vs. 50.00%and 32.56%vs. 65.00%;P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the plasmic D-di-mer level is an independent prognostic factor associated with unfavorable prognosis. Conclusion:Increased preoperative plasmic D-di-mer levels may be a potential biomarker of weak responses to first-line chemotherapy and poor clinical outcomes in patients with SOC.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Plasma Cells ; pathology ; Skin Diseases ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect of baicalin against rotenone-induced injury on PC12 cells, and the po-tential mechanism of action action was also explored.

METHODPC12 cells were injured by rotenone and were treated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 μmol x L(-1)) of baicalin at the same time. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT, and morphology was observed by phase-contrast microscopy. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The intracellular ROS level was determined by fluorescence microscope with DCF-DA staining. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTThe viability of PC12 cells exposure to rotenone for 24 hour was gradually decreased with dose escalating and 1.5 μmol x L was adopted to do the following experiment. Baicalin increased cell viability, improved cell morphology and decreased intracellular ROS level. Moreover, FACS indicated baicalin attenuated the apoptosis induced by rotenone significantly. Western blot showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 expression in rotenone-induced PC12 cells was reversed by baicalin.

CONCLUSIONThis study has demonstrated that baicalin protects PC12 cells against rotenone-induced apoptosis, at least in part, by scavenging excessive ROS and inhibiting the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Rotenone ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Embolism, Fat ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the effect of Ulinastatin on the delivery of cytokines in patients with septic shock.Methods It was a prospective and controlled clinical study.Seventy-eight patients with septic shock were randomly divided into control group and treatment group and thirty-nine in every group.Patients in treatment group received Ulinastatin 200 000 units intravenous everyday for 3 days,while those in control group received equal volume of normal saline as placebo.At different time points (at 24 th,48 th,72 th hour after start of treatment),the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?),interleukin-1 (IL-1),interleukin-6 (IL-6 ),interleukin-8 (IL-8) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were assayed.Results In comparison with control group,the levels of TNF-?,IL-1,IL-6,IL- 8 of treatment group decreased markedly (P＜0.05,P＜0.01) at different time points,whereas the level of SOD was higher markedly (P＜0.05,P＜0.01) at various time points.Conclusion Ulinastatin has protective effect on patients with septic shock through decreasing the levels of TNF-?,IL-1,IL-6,IL-8 and increasing in the level of SOD.

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

Objective To summarize our experience with endovascular treatment of vertibrobasilar aneurysms. Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with vertibrobasilar aneurysms admitted between October, 2003 and July, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All the 21 patients received endovascular embolization, of whom 11 patients had embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC), 9 had GDC embolization with Neuroform stent placement, and 1 patient was managed with covered stent placement in the parent artery. Results After the operations, 19 patients were clinically cured with good prognosis, 1 patient was severely disabled, and 1 died due to heart failure. Four patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for postoperative hydrocephalus. Conclusions Endovascular embolization with GDC and placement of Neuroform stent and covered stent are effective options for management of vertibrobasilar aneurysms, and most of the vertibrobasilar aneurysms can be treated effectively by these approaches.

OBJECTIVETo describe the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer from 1974-2002 in Cixian county of Hebei province. Basic information on comparative geographical, epidemiological, and clinical research was collected.

METHODSIn early 1970s, cancer registry system in Cixian was established, collecting information on all the esophageal cancer cases in Cixian. Data was checked manually, then computerized, coded and analyzed using the software--SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSFrom 1974 to 2002, there were 18 471 esophageal cancer cases in Cixian, with 11 068 males and 7403 females, respectively. The age standardized incidence rate (ASR) for males was 208.77 per 100,000, while 120.47 per 100,000 for females. The trend of incidence rate of esophageal cancer had decreased during the 29 years from 1974 to 2002 (trend chi(2) = 19.94, P < 0.001). From 25 years of age onward, the incidence rates of the lower age groups declined with the increase of age. As for geographic distribution, the incidence rate in mountainous areas and hilly areas showed a significant declining trend in mountainous areas, chi(2) = 195.00, P < 0.001; hilly areas, chi(2) = 46.08, P < 0.001. The esophageal cancer incidence in plain areas remained steady, but had a slight increase in recent years. From 1969 to 2002, there were 18,736 cases died of esophageal cancer with 11 598 males and 7138 females. The ASR for male was 127.17 per 100,000 and 101.57 per 100,000 for female. Compared with the year 1969, the mortality rate of esophageal cancer in 2002 had a 37.96% decline. The proportion of esophageal cancer among malignant tumors in different decades decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe trend of the incidence rate of esophageal cancer had been decreasing for the last 29 years. The incidence rate in mountainous areas and hilly areas showed a declining trend while in the plain areas it remained steady but having slight increase in the recent years. The mortality rate of esophageal cancer had a significant decrease from 1969 to 2002.

Adult ; Age Factors ; China ; epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Registries ; Software

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique and effect of treating malignant tumors of maxilla with postoperative brachytherapy by digital model obturators containing (125)I radioactive seeds.

METHODSFour patients with adnoid cystic carcinomas and two with squamous cell carcinomas in the maxilla were included in this study. All patients accepted (125)I seeds implantation after operation, and wore digital model obturators containing (125)I seeds. The prescription dose was 80 Gy. All patients were followed up every 2 months after treatment.

RESULTSThe total number of seeds used in these six patients was 189, and 105 seeds were contained in obturators. Radioactive seeds and doses distributed very well as designed in all patients. No tumors recurred after follow up of 12-16 months and there were no severe complications.

CONCLUSIONSIt's an effective way to treat malignant tumors with positive excision margin in the maxilla by brachytherapy using digital model obturators which contain (125)I radioactive seeds.

Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy ; methods ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; radiotherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult