Objective To investigate the effects of VCAM-1 on migration and invasion of glioma cell lines . Methods The techniques of lentivirus pSGU6/GFP/Neo-based VCAM-1 shRNA and EF1 a-GFP/puro-based VCAM-1 expression vector, the scratch wound healing migration and transwell invasion assays , and the Western blot and cell staining were applied to observe the effects of VCAM-1 expression levels on migration and invasion of glioma cell line cells.There are four groups in T98G cells including control, vector, scramble and shRNA-VCAM-1 groups and three groups in U251 cells covering control, vector and VCAM-1 overexpressed groups ( n=6 per group) .Results The stabled glioma cell lines of T98 G cells with down-regulated VCAM-1 and U251 cells with VCAM-1 overexpression were established by using lentivirus-based VCAM-1 shRNA and expression vector.The ability of scratch wound healing (migration activity) decreased significantly (P<0.01) in T98G cells with lower VCAM-1 expression levels, while the migration activity was obviously improved in U251 cells with overexpressed VCAM-1 ( P <0.05 ) .Similarly, the invasion ability was significantly inhibited ( P <0.05) in T98G cells with silenced VCAM-1, as well as VCAM-1 overexpression could enhance the invasion ability of U251 cells ( P<0.01 ) .Conclusions VCAM-1 improves the migration activity and invasion ability of human glioma cell line cells.

Objective To investigate the present status of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) in Qingzhou at present, and provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease. Methods According to The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007, children aged 7 to 12 were chosen to receive clinical and X-ray examination in 3 villages of 2 towns in Qingzhou. Local adults aged 16 years and older were clinically diagnosed in 10 villages of 4 towns and divided into different groups according to the clinical degrees and their ages. The Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995) was carded out by clinical and X-ray diagnosis. Results Two hundred and sixty school children aged 7 to 12 were clinically diagnosed, and the patients of I degree upwards of KBD were not detected. One hundred and ninety-eight school children aged 7 to 12 were examined by X-ray, and the detectable rate was 0(0/198). In 7099 adults aged 16 years old upwards clinically tested, 502 patients of degree I and higher of KBD were detected and the detectable rate was 7.07%(502/7099). The patients distributed mainly in the population aged 36 years old and older, accounting for 99.00% (497/502). Conclusions Although KBD in children have been controlled in Qingzhou, it is still serious in adults. So the monitoring of KBD should be carried on and prevention and control for KBD in adults should be strengthened.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detector had been developed for simultaneous quantification of danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, caffeic acid, salvianolic acid D, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A in Danshen injection. According to the UV spectra of these components, three detection wavelengths have been selected as follows: 280 nm for danshensu and protocatechuic aldehyde, 326 nm for caffeic acid, salvianolic acid D and rosmarinic acid, 286 nm for salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A. The limit of detection (LOD) was improved to be in the range of 0.008-0.160 microg/ml. Moreover, excellent linear behavior over the investigated concentration range was observed, with R>0.999 for all the analytes.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods

BACKGROUNDThe solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is one of the most common findings on chest radiographs. The objectives of clinical practice are to differentiate malignant nodules from benign nodules in the least invasive way and to make a specific diagnosis. This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation between perfusion imaging features and microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in SPNs using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT); and to provide the theoretical basis for SPN blood flow pattern and blood flow quantitative features. Also, the study called for the discussion of the method's clinical application value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant SPNs.

METHODSSixty-eight patients with SPN underwent multi-location dynamic contrast enhanced (nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 ml/s) MSCT. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuations on every scan was studied. Perfusion, peak height, and the ratio of the peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta were analyzed. Perfusion was calculated using the maximum gradient of the time-density curves (TDC) and the peak height of the aorta. The quantitative parameters (perfusion, peak height, ratio of peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta) of the blood flow pattern were compared with MVD and the VEGF expression of immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe perfusion peak heights of malignant ((96.15 +/- 11.55) HU) and inflammatory ((101.15 +/- 8.41) HU) SPNs were significantly higher than those of benign ((47.24 +/- 9.15) HU) SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Ratios of SPN-to-aorta of malignant and inflammatory SPNs were significantly higher than those of benign SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the peak height and SPN-to-aorta ratio of malignant SPNs and inflammatory SPNs (P > 0.05, P > 0.05). The precontrast densities of inflammatory SPNs were lower than those of malignant SPNs (P < 0.05). Perfusion values of malignant and inflammatory SPNs were significantly higher than those of the benign SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). The VEGF positive expressions appeared in 32 patients with malignant SPNs and 2 patients with benign SPNs, and the average value of the MVD was higher in patients with malignant SPNs (36.88 +/- 6.76) than in patients with either benign (4.51 +/- 0.60) or inflammatory (26.11 +/- 5.43) SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant correlations between the CT perfusion feature and the MVD. The highest correlation was between the peak height of SPN and the MVD (r = 0.657, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTumor microvessel density and VEGF expression facilitate the exploration of the pathophysiological basis of CT perfusion in SPNs. Multi-slice CT perfusion has shown strong positive correlations with angiogenesis in SPNs.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Perfusion Imaging ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricle cutting method for treatment of blood stasis-type psoriasis.

METHODSFifty-six cases of blood stasis-type psoriasis were randomly divided into a combined therapy group, a auricle cutting group, an acupuncture group and a control group, 14 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment of TCM decoction in four groups, the combined therapy group was treated with acupuncture and auricle cutting method, and the auricle cutting group was treated with sham-acupuncture and auricle cutting, and the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture and sham auricle cutting, and the control group was treated with sham-acupuncture and sham auricle cutting. The acupuncture was applied at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Ganshu (BL 18) and Geshu (BL 17), etc., and manipulated with routine technique; in the sham acupuncture, the needle was inserted into dermis layer so that the needles could be swung without being dropped out. In the auricle cutting, erbeixin (P1) of unilateral auricle was selected and cut by Chan needle to perform bloodletting; in the sham auricle cutting, the neighborhood approximately 0.5 cm next to erbeixin (P) of auricle was selected as cutting area. The treatment was given once a day, seven days as a treatment session for totally two sessions. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) before and after treatment was observed and efficacy of each group was compared.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 57.1% (8/14) in the combined therapy group, which was superior to 14.3% (2/14) in the auricle cutting group, 7.1% (1/14) in the acupuncture group and 0.0% (0/14) in the control group (all P < 0.05). The scores of PASI were all decreased in each group after the treatment (all P < 0.05), which was the most significant in the combined therapy group (all P < 0.05). After factorial analysis, the main effect was P < 0.05 in the auricle cutting, P < 0.05 in the acupuncture and P < 0.05 in interaction effect of combined therapy.

CONCLUSIONThe scores of PASI of blood stasis-type psoriasis could be effectively reduced by acupuncture, auricle cutting method and TCM decoction, among which the interaction effect of auricle cutting and acupuncture combined with TCM decoction is the most significant.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bloodletting ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Ear ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis ; blood ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To learn the injury severity and the possible mechanism of the thyroid tissue of DM rats with different levels of glucose levels. Methods Firstly,20 Wistar rats were treated with STZ to create the experimental diabetic rats models. Then,the DM rats were divided into two groups including the persistence hyperglycemia group(n = 10),and blood glucose fluctuation group(n = 10). Another 10 Wistar rats were treated as the control group. Rats were sacrificed after 12 week treatment. The bilateral thyroid were weighted and the blood biochemistry tests were conducted for detecting glucose level,lipid levels,and thyroid functions. The ultra - structure of thyroid tissue was observed using electron microscope. Results The MBG,LAGE,and SDBG of blood glucose fluctuation group and the persistence hyperglycemia group were all higher than the control group(P ﹤ 0. 05). The MBG of blood glucose fluctuation group were lower than the persistence hyperglycemia group(P ﹤ 0. 05),the SDBG and LAGE were higher than the persistence hyperglycemia group(P ﹤ 0. 05). The TC,FPG,and HbA1c levels of DM rats were significantly higher in blood glucose fluctuation group than in control group(P ﹤ 0. 05). TC ,FPG and TG levels of the DM rats in blood glucose fluctuation group were significantly lower than the rats in persistence hyperglycemia group(P ﹤ 0. 05). No significance of the free T3 and free T4 levels was observed between the diabetes rats in persistence hyperglycemia group and blood glucose fluctuation group. However,the free T3 and T4 levels were significantly lower in both model groups than in control group(P ﹤ 0. 05). The injury of follicular epithelial cells and loss of microvilli were observed in diabetes rats in both the hyperglycemia group and blood glucose fluctuation group. Conclusion The ultra - structure changes of thyroid gland tissues indicated that abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism could result in thyroid gland tissue injury,which is the potential mechanism. However,no difference of the thyroid function and ultra - structure were observed between the hyperglycemia group and blood glucose fluctuation group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of medical thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of the pleural effusion of unknown etiology. METHODS: The results of 36 patients with the pleural disease of unknown etiology diagnosed by medical thoracoscopy were retrospectively analyzed, including the pathologic results and the complications. RESULTS: Among the 36 patients, 35 were determined with positive rate of 97.2%, and no serious complications was found. CONCLUSION Medical thoracoscopy is an important method of diagnosing complicate pleural effusion, and has high positive rate. It is a simple operation, with no serious complication, and fast recovery.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Pleural Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thoracoscopy

Objective To observe the clinical study of Xiaoaiping tablet combined AP regimen in the treatment of unresectable advance endometrial carcinoma. Methods A total of 268 patients with advance endometrial carcinoma in our hospital were divided into treatment group and control group, 134 cases in each group. The control group was treated by AP regimen and the treatment group was given Xiaoaiping tablet combined AP regimen. The treatment was 3 weeks per course, 4 periods performance, and the 2 year follow-up. After the treatment, the immune index, including IgG, IgA, IgM, CD3+ and CD4+ were detected by a chemical lighting method in the 2 groups. The KPS scores were observed to evaluate the life quality in the 2 groups. During the treatment, the adverse effects of chemotherapy in patients were observated during the treatment. And the survival rates, overall survival and progression-freely-survival were also observed. Results After the treatment, the control rate and efficiency rate were 86.5％ (116/134) and 64.2％(86/134) in treatment group, while the control rate and efficiency rate were 76.9％ (103/134) and 52.2％(70/134) in control group, where there were significantly difference in control rate and efficiency rate (Z values were 3.542 and 3.871, P values were 0.041 and 0.039). After the treatment, the levels of IgG, Ig A, IgM, CD3+ and CD4+ in treatment group were significantly higher than control group (t values were 4.725, 4.930, 4.259, 4.571 and 4.006, P<0.01). After the 1st-4th period of treatment, the KPS scores in treatment group were significantly higher than the control group (t values were 3.124, 3.452, 3.612 and 3.712, P<0.05). After the treatment, the PFS, OS, 1 year survival rate and 2 year survival rate were significantly lower in treatment group than control group (t values were 4.241, 4.421, 3.735 and 3.982, P<0.05). Conclusions The Xiaoaiping tablet combined AP regimen in the treatment of unresectable advance endometrial carcinoma has a good effect, could promote the immune function, decease the adverse effects and prolong the survival time in the patients.

BACKGROUNDMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia.

RESULTSOne hundred and fourteen (13.0%) MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% (55/474) in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% (59/402) of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 (26.8%) of 127 patients, including 16 (12.6%) cases of pure colonization and 18 (14.2%) cases of pneumonia (two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia). Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 (17.3%) patients: eight (6.3%) were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 (11.0%) ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization > 72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two (9.1%) colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia (P = 0.725). In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection.

CONCLUSIONSA high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cross Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qiangjing Capsule (QC) on the oxidative amd antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats in comparison with those of Shaofuzhuyu Capsule (SC) and Wuziyanzong Capsule (WC), and to explore its possible mechanism of enhancing epididymal sperm maturation.

METHODSTen of 100 adolescent male SD rats were randomized to a sham-operation group, and varicocele models were successfully established in 72 of the other 90 by narrowing of the left renal vein. Then the model rats were equally assigned to 6 groups: model control, high-dose QC (0.216 g/ml), medium-dose QC (0.108 g/ml), low-dose QC (0.054 g/ml), SC (0.146 g/ml), and WC (0.130 g/ml). After 4 weeks of treatment, we determined the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the left epididymis of different groups of rats.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significant decrease in GPx activity (P < 0.01) and a marked increase in the MDA level (P < 0.05). And the high-dose QC group exhibited a significantly hither GPx activity and lower MDA level than all the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele can reduce the activity of GPx and elevate the level of MDA in the epididymis of rats, while Qiangjing Capsule can increase the former and decrease the latter, and thereby may improve epididymal microenvironment, enhance epididymal sperm maturation and promote fertility.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Varicocele ; metabolism