Object To study the effect of emodin, the active principle in rhubarb on the secretion of TNF ?, IL 1, IL 6, and [Ca 2+ ] i by rat peritoneal macrophage under different conditions Methods Hypernomic inflammation models of isolated rat peritoneal macrophage were prepared by lipopolysaccharide excitation and the levels of [Ca 2+ ] i and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF ?, IL 1 and IL 6 secreated determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry and bioassay Results Emodin showed a dual regulatory effect on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and [Ca 2+ ] i Conclusion It seemed that emodin has a biphasic immuno regulatory effect

Objective To determine the incidence and risk factors of iatrogenic retinal breaks in eyes undergoing pars plana vit- rectomy for idiopathic macular pucker.Design Retrospective case series.Participant 88 consecutive vitrectomies performed on eyes with idiopathic macular pucker.Method Consecutive vitrectomies performed on eyes with idiopathic macular pucker at Beijing Tongren Eye Center between 2002 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.Cases with iatrogenic retinal breaks were recorded and analyzed. Main Outcome Measure Number and location of retinal breaks,and anatomic outcome after surgical managements.Result A total of 88 consecutive vitrectomies were included in the study.Of the 88 eyes,8 eyes had 14 iatrogenic retinal breaks detected,with an aver- age incidence of 9.1%.Peripheral retinal breaks(8.0%)were more common than posterior retinal breaks(1.1%).All peripheral retinal breaks occurred around the selerotomy sites(100%)and the quadrant of predominant hand was involved most commonly(62%).Most of the breaks(88%)were detected during the surgery.All eyes with iatrogenic retinal breaks obtained anatomic retinal reattachment (100%).Conclusion Despite improvements in instrumentation and surgical techniques,iatrogenic retinal break continues to be an im- portant complication of pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with idiopathic macular pucker.This complication tends to occur more commonly at peripheral retina and is mainly selerotomy-related.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of mild moxibustion on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) visceral hyperalgesiamodel rats and its regulatory effect on P2X3 receptors in the spinal cord, anterior cingutate cortex (ACC) and thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL). Methods: Thirty 8-day-old newborn rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=6) and a modeling group (n=24) according to the completely random number table method. Rats in the normal group were bred routinely, and those in the modeling group were subjected to preparing IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia model using colorectal distention (CRD) in stimulation method. Rats successfully modelled were re-divided into a model group, a mild moxibustion group, a P2X3 receptor antagonist group, and a normal saline group according to the completely random number table method with 6 rats in each group. Rats in each group received corresponding interventions from the 37-day old, once a day for 7 consecutive days. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were used to detect P2X3 protein expressions in the spinal cord, ACC and VPL of rats. Results: Under different intensities of CRD stimulation, the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group (all P<0.05); the AWR scores of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group (all P<0.01). The P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord, ACC and VPL tissues of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group (all P<0.01); the P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord, ACC and VPL tissues of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Mild moxibustion can inhibit the P2X3 receptor expressions in the spinal cord, ACC, and VPL tissues of IBS visceral hyperalgesia model rats, which may be the mechanism of mild moxibustion in relieving the central sensitization of rats with IBS visceral hyperalgesia.

A device to produce low temperature plasma ( LTP) was designed and constructed to serve as the ion source of a high resolution mass spectrometry, and was applied to qualitatively analyze the steroid samples. In comparison with conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, low temperature plasma mass spectrometry ( LTP-MS) had some advantages such as simple sample pretreatment and less interference. Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry were used to characterize the steroid samples in this research, and it was found that the structural stability of each steroid sample was presented in its mass spectrum, while in the tandem mass spectra there were more fragments of H2 O lost. And then the fragmentation process of typical steroid samples in collision induced dissociation ( CID ) was discussed based on theoretical calculation. In addition, by comparing tandem mass spectrometry and the fragmentation process, a pair of isomers of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone could be distinguished successfully.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibition of the expression of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) in the LNCap cell line through RNA interference (RNAi) and the effect of the silenced SRC-1 gene on LNCap cells.

METHODSThe experiment included four groups: siRNA transfection, siRNA negative control, bland vehicle (with Lipofectamine 2000 but no siRNA), and blank control (with neither Lipofectamine 2000 nor siRNA). LNCap cells were transfected with designed siRNA using the liposomes method, the expressions of SRC-1 determined by Q-PCR and Western blot, and the proliferation of the LNCap cells detected by the CCK-8 method.

RESULTSThe expression of SRC-1 mRNA in the transfected LNCap cells was decreased by 35% at 24 hours and 77% at 48 hours, with statistically significant differences from the blank control group (P < 0.05). The SRC-1 protein expression of the transfected group was 0.359 +/- 0.034 at 24 hours and 0.257 +/- 0.065 at 48 hours, markedly decreased as compared with that of the negative control (0.782 +/- 0.078 and 0.766 +/- 0.043) , bland vehicle (0.840 +/- 0.013 and 0.786 +/- 0.051), and blank control group (0.816 +/- 0.065 and 0.805 +/- 0.107) (P < 0.05). The LNCap cell growth inhibition rates were 25%, 52%, 55% and 60% at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of SRC-1 is correlated with the growth of LNCap cells; its high expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells may be involved in the progression to androgen-independence. Inhibiting the expression of SRC-1 may be an option for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Male ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1 ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene expression and potential functions of transforming growth factor-beta1 in osteophyte development.

METHODSA total of 25 specimens were obtained from individuals undergoing total knee arthroplasty due to severe primary osteoarthritis. Tissue samples were embedded in paraffin wax and made into sections. Hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue stainings were performed. The expressions of collagen I, IIa, IIb, and X were detected by immunohistochemistry. Based on the histomorphology of cellularity and matrix abundance, the glycosaminoglycans content, and the differential expressions of collagen I, IIa, IIb, and X, the osteophytic tissues were classified. For each different type of osteophyte, expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, and results were analyzed using the image analysis system.

RESULTSFive different types of osteophytes were identified as type I, type II, type III, type IV, and type V. Transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA was more and intensely expressed in chondrocytes of type II and III osteophytes, and was less in other types of osteophytes. The difference was significant (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONTransforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA is mainly expressed in early-mid stages of osteophytes and may play an important role in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in the early stages of osteophyte development.

Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteophyte ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of prostate cancer in urban Qingdao and provide some theoretical evidence for the scientific prevention and treatment of the disease.

METHODSWe performed a hospital-based matched case-control study in Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The cases and controls were matched in age, gender, nationality and the place of residence. All the subjects were interviewed face to face in the hospital using a questionnaire, and the data analyzed by the conditional logistic regression method.

RESULTSAccording to the 258 valid questionnaires collected, the prostate cancer risk was significantly higher in the cases with a family history of cancer than in those without (OR = 2.58), and so was it in the men with the first spermatorrhea at the age of < or = 15 years than in those at the age of > or = 18 years (OR = 2.27). A decreased risk of prostate cancer was found among the men with the first experience of sexual intercourse between 25 to 30 years of age (OR = 0.76). An increased risk was shown in those with sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old (OR = 2.57), masturbations > or = 3 times per week (OR = 2.30) and a drinking history (alcohol > or = 150 g/d) of > or = 10 years (OR = 2.83).

CONCLUSIONPositive family history of cancer, earlier age of the first spermatorrhea, sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old, frequent masturbations, and heavy drinking for more than 10 years are risk factors for prostate cancer.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of combined continued estrogen and progestin replacement therapy on knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms of postmenopausal women.

METHODSSixty-four postmenopausal women with radiological knee OA and symptoms aged 45-75 were divided into treatment group and control group. They were given estradiol velerate (E2V) 1.0 mg/d and medroxyprogestetone acetate (MPA) 2 mg/d (treatment group) or placebo (control group) for 6 months. Calcium 400 mg/d were given to all cases. Then 0-100 mm visual analon scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the severity of knee pain at baseline and after 1, 3, 6 month of treatment.

RESULTSSignificant differences on pain at night and tenderness around knee were seen in the treatment group compared with the control group after 1 months of treatment (P = 0.036 and 0.035, respectively). The improvement of pain at night, during walk and morning stiffness between the two groups showed significant difference after 6 months (P = 0.026, 0.027, and 0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSIONCombined estrogen and progestin replacement therapy can relieve the knee OA symptoms of postmenopausal women.

Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Estradiol ; therapeutic use ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Postmenopause ; Prospective Studies

In order to investigate the pathogens associated with a clustered event of fever occurred in a kindergarten in Fuzhou,Fujian Province,samples were collected from pediatric cases in the kindergarten and screened for various possible viral agents by real-time PCR.Of 10 respiratory specimens,7 were positive of human adenovirus (HAdV).The positive samples were inoculated into HEp-2 cell-lines for viral isolation.The PCR products of the hypervariable regions of Hexon gene were sequenced,followed by BLAST searches for viral type identification.In comparison with the strains prevalent in domestic or abroad in recent years,the deduced amino acid sequences showed no amino acid mutation in the hypervariable regions of Hexon.Combined with clinical manifestation and field epidemiological data,human adenovirus type 7 could be confirmed as the pathogen linked to the clustered event.

Objective To evaluate the present development and status of quality control for intensive care unit (ICU) in Sichuan Provincial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals including integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine hospitals and ethnic hospitals, and to provide practical references for improving the service quality of ICU. Methods Supervisory Group of Sichuan Provincial Critical Care Medicine Quality Control Center of TCM was established in September 2018. From September 8th to 17th, 2018, according to the Scoring Criteria of Quality Control and Supervision Project of TCM for Critical Care Medicine, a 10-day quality control professional guidance was hand out to TCM hospitals with independent ICU in Sichuan Province. The service level of different aspects of hospital quality control was evaluated and ranked from equipment and resource support, medical team, service capacity and level, ward quality, completion of critical care core indicators, completion of quality control of TCM, development of new technologies, diagnosis and treatment schemes for dominant diseases. Results There were 52 TCM hospitals across the province that had an ICU. Thirty-three hospitals were third-class (63.5%), while the rest 19 hospitals were second-class (36.5%). Province-level, city-level and county-level hospitals were accounted for 9.6% (5/52), 38.5% (20/52), and 51.9% (27/52), respectively. Average bed ratio of ICU was 1.8%. Doctor-bed and guard-bed ratios were 0.71∶1 and 2.0∶1, respectively. The average annual admission rate of patients and the average daily admission rate of beds were higher, which were basically 1%. Ward quality was high; the incidence of nosocomial infection was controlled below 10%. Compliance rate of septic shock bundle treatment was high. The incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) were 0.45%, 0.22%, and 0.30%, respectively. Participation rate of TCM was about 83.4%. Average number of new technologies was about 4.4. Average number of disease schemes was about 2.62. Conclusions ICU of Sichuan Provincial TCM hospitals reaches the standard level in service capacity and level, ward quality, critical medicine quality control, and participation rate of TCM treatment. Improvements are required for other prospects, including department scale, medical personnel allocation, new technical development, diagnosis and treatment schemes of dominant diseases.