Sulfur fumigation was a traditional maintenance method for traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). However , as people have paid more and more attentions on the sulfur dioxide residue in the sulfur fumigated TCMs , China has gradually decreased and banned the sulfur fumigation for TCMs . This study adopted organic elemental analysis for the determination of sulfur contents in multiple TCMs . Elemental analysis can give accu-rate results with little sample amount in a short time . Data analysis indicated that the sulfur content of 0.5% can be set as a criterion for the identification of sulfur fumigated TCMs. Sulfur content of ten unknown TCMs were determined by elemental analysis and identified whether the TCMs have been fumigated by sulfur. The devel-oped elemental analysis method can be used as a screening method for rapid identification of TCMs' quality.

Objective To study the change of the hyaluronic acid (HA),laminin (LN) and col- lagen type IV (C_(?)) within the renal grafts and in serum during acute rejection and to investigate their relationship.Methods Male Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats were used as donors and recipients,re- spectively.Rat orthotopic kidney transplantation was performed according to a modification of the method decribed by Biota.Experimental rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,homotransplanta- tion rats treated with cyclosporine,isotransplantation,pseudooperation and controls.Animals were subsequently killed at defined time points for determination of the extracellular matrix (ECM) parame- ters (HA,LN and C_(?)) within the graft and in serum by radioimmunoassay.Results Significant increases in HA,LN and C_(?) levels within the renal grafts were found in the rejection group as compared with the non-rejection groups.Serum levels of HA,LN and C_(?) were also significantly elevated in the rejection group at diagnosis of rejection.Serum HA,LN and C_(?) levels were correla- ted with those within the renal grafts.Histologic examination revealed that 4 cases developed acute re- jection in homotransplantation rats treaded with cyclosporine,17 cases in controls.HA,LN and C_(?) levels within the renal grafts were correlated with acute rejection Banff scores.There was correlation between serum levels of HA,LN and C_(?) and acute rejection Banff scores (P＜0.01).Conclusion HA,LN and C_(?) play an important role in the pathogenesis of acut allograft rejection.In addition, serum levels of HA,LN and C_(?) may be a sensitive marker of acute rejection in the postoperative period of renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of nutrition protection on oxidation damage of the submarine men.

METHODS50 submarine men were randomly divided into test group and control group, 25 persons each. The test group member took VitB2 5 mg, VitC 200 mg, GPC capsule 50 mg, once every other day and VitA capsules 25 000 units for every week during the sea-voyage. The total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), the proliferation of peripheral-blood lymphocyte (PPL), the hemolytic degree of RBC and IFN-gamma were detected.

RESULTSBefore sea voyage, the difference in the T-AOC and SOD and PPL and IFN-gamma and the MDA content and the hemolytic degree of RBC between the test group and the control group were not significant (P>0.05). After sea voyage, the T-AOC and SOD and PPL and IFN-gamma in the test group [(24.08 +/- 0.10) U/ml, (44.85 +/- 0.96) U/ml, (0.29 +/- 0.05) (with H2O2), (0.34 +/- 0.04) (without H2O2) and (34.21 +/- 3.52) pg/ml] were higher than the control group [(21.06 +/- 1.10) U/ml, (42.80 +/- 1.46) nu/ml, (0.23 +/- 0.01) (with H2O2), (0.34 +/- 0.04) (without H2O2) and (31.89 +/- 3.52) pg/ml]. The MDA content and the hemolytic degree of RBC [(2.15 +/- 0.28) nmol/ml and (20.96% +/- 0.10%)] were lower than the control group [(2.44 +/- 0.32) nmol/ml and (23.12% +/- 0.77%)]. The difference was significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTo add antioxidant nutrients can improve the submarine men's antioxidant capacity.

Adult ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Submarine Medicine ; Vitamins ; pharmacology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the effectiveness of timolol in preventing first variceal hemorrhage in portal hypertensive patients with esophageal varices.

METHODSA total of 42 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices were enrolled in this study and received timolol or band ligation therapy randomly,with 21 patients in each group. The diameters of portal vein (PV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and splenic vein (SPV) as well as the portal venous flow and the splenic venous flow were measured. The first esophageal variceal bleeding of the two groups was recorded.

RESULTSThe diameters of PV, SMV, and SPV as well as the flow of PV and SPV showed no significant difference before and after treatment in band ligation group (P>0.05). In timolol group,however,the diameter of portal vein significantly decreased after treatment [(14.11±2.96) mm vs. (12.15±1.61)mm, P<0.05], and the average blood flow of portal vein also significantly decreased after treatment [(1277.33±495.19) ml/min vs. (719.17±245.16)ml/min, P<0.05]. Both timolol and band ligation effectively prevented esophageal variceal bleeding, and the risk of first esophageal variceal bleeding in these two groups were not significantly different (15% vs. 10%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTimolol is safe and effective in preventing the first variceal bleeding in portal hypertensive patients with esophageal varices.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; complications ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Timolol ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDIsoflurane, a commonly used inhaled anesthetic, induces apoptosis in primary rat cortical neurons of rat in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by an unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that isoflurane induced apoptosis by causing abnormal calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via activation of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptors. Sevoflurane has a reduced ability to disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis and is a less potent cytotoxic agent. This study examined and compared the cytotoxic effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane on rat primary cortical neurons and their relationship with disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

METHODSPrimary rat cortical neurons were treated with the equivalent of 1 minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane and sevoflurane for 12 hours. MTT reduction and LDH release assays were performed to evaluate cell viability. Changes of calcium concentration in the cytosolic space, [Ca(2+)](c), and production of ROS were determined after exposing primary rat cortical neurons to isoflurane and sevoflurane. We also determined the effects of IP(3) receptor antagonist xestospongin C on isoflurane-induced cytotoxicity and calcium release from the ER in primary rat cortical neurons.

RESULTSIsoflurane at 1 MAC for 12 hours induced cytotoxicity in primary rat cortical neurons, which was also associated with a high and fast elevation of peak [Ca(2+)](c). Xestospongin C significantly ameliorated isoflurane cytotoxicity in primary cortical neurons, as well as inhibited the calcium release from the ER in primary cortical neurons. Isoflurane did not induce significant changes of ROS production in primary rat cortical neurons. Sevoflurane, at equivalent exposure to isoflurane, did not induce similar cytotoxicity or elevation of peak [Ca(2+)](c) in primary rat cortical neurons.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that isoflurane induced elevation in [Ca(2+)](c), partially via elevated activity of IP(3) receptors, which rendered cells vulnerable to isoflurane neurotoxicity. ROS production was not involved in isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity. Sevoflurane, at an equivalent exposure to isoflurane, did not induce similar elevations of [Ca(2+)](c) or neurotoxicity in primary cortical neurons of rat.

Anesthetics, Inhalation ; toxicity ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Isoflurane ; toxicity ; Methyl Ethers ; toxicity ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the submarine training on the antioxidant ability of the submarine men.

METHODS50 sea-training submarine men, 50 land-training submarine men and 50 resting submarine men were randomly selected from some submarine troops. The blood routine, the total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the levels of IFN-gamma in blood plasma, the hemolytic degree of RBC, the proliferation of peripheral-blood lymphocyte (PPL) of them were detected in each group.

RESULTSThe T-AOC of the sea-training submarine men, the land-training submarine men and the resting submarine men significantly increased by turns [(15.38 +/- 3.11), (18.81 +/- 2.45), (20.93 +/- 2.95) U/ml], but MDA and the hemolytic degree of RBC significantly decreased by turns [(2.56 +/- 0.70), (2.12 +/- 0.53),(1.77 +/- 0.56) nmol/ml and 25.72% +/- 1.67%, 21.45% +/- 1.02%, 18.28% +/- 1.37%] (P < 0.05). Compared with the land-training submarine men and the resting submarine men, IFN-gamma [(31.89 +/- 3.52) pg/ml] and the proliferation of PPL of the sea-training submarine men were significantly lower, whereas the red blood count (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were significantly higher (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSubmarine training, especially sea training, may decrease the antioxidant ability.

Adolescent ; Antioxidants ; physiology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Military Personnel ; Submarine Medicine ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have the potential of differentiation into alveolar epithelial cells in vitro, but so far no study has indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can be differentiated into alveolar epithelial cells through long-term Transwell co-culture. OBJECTIVE: To observe whether rat lung epithelial-T-antigen negative cell lines (RLE-6TN) can induce rat ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells by long-term Transwell co-culture. METHODS: Three SPF health female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as donors to separate, extract, culture and identity ADSCs. The experimental group was subjected to the Transwell co-culture of ADSCs and RLE-6TN, while the control group was subjected to the culture of ADSCs alone. The morphological changes of ADSCs were observed by the inverted phase contrast microscope at 21 days after co-culture. Immunofluorescence staining using surfactant protein C (SP-C) was performed on the co-cultured ADSCs. The fluorescence staining was observed using the inverted fluorescence microscope. Integral optical density (IOD) analysis was conducted by Image pro plus 6.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: RLE-6TN cells were identified by fluorescence staining with stable expression of SP-C protein (red fluorescence) in the experimental group, and there was no red fluorescence in the control group. After 21-day co-culture, the cell shape in the experimental group was transformed from the long spindle shape into oval or polygon shape gradually, while the cell shape in the control group remained fibroblast-like. These results show that RLE-6TN can induce ADSCs to differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells after a long-term (21 days) co-culture.

Objective To determine the curative effect of dilation for achalasia with temporary cardia stent in different diameters based on a long-term follow-up.Methods The study cohort was comprised of 135 patients of achalasia.Among them differentiated by stent diameters as followings:30 patients were treated under fluoroscopy with dilation of temporary cardia stent in 20 mm diameter(group A), 30 patients with dilation of temporary eardia stent in 25 mm diameter(group B),and 75 patients with dilation of temporary cardia stent in 30 mm diameter(group C).135 cardia stents were temporarily placed in the 135 patients and withdrawn after 3 -5 days via gastroscopy.All the stents were inserted and withdrawn successfully.The follow-up in all groups lasted 6-128 months.Results Six(20.0%)out of 30 patients,6(20.0%)out of 30 patients,5(22.7%)out of 22 patieuts,6(37.5%)out of 16 patients,5 out of 9 patients,3 out of 3 patients in group A exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively. Four(13.3%)out of 30 patients,4(13.3%)out of 30 patients,3(13.0%)out of 23 patients,4(22.2%)out of 18 patients,5(45.5%)out of 11 patients,and 3 out of 4 patients in group B exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively.No(0.0%)out of 75 patients, 1(1.5%)out of 66 patients,4(8.3%)out of 48 patients,6(18.2%)out of 33 patients,6(33.3%)out of 18 patients,2 out of 5 patients in group C exhibited dysphagia relapse during 6 months,1 year,3 years,5 years,8 years,and 10 years follow-up,respectively.Conclusion Dilation with temporary cardia metal stent in 30 mm diameter is the best dilation for achalasia in long-term follow-up.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Damage ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Necrosis ; Sulfinic Acids ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factors ; genetics ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics

This study was undertaken to analyze and evaluate the diagnosis and principal treatment methods for congenital choledochal cyst, focusing on various surgical procedures and clinical outcome. A comprehensive, retrospective study was conducted on 72 adult patients who presented with choledochal cyst from 1985 to 2002. Surgical procedures were cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 25 cases for type I or type IV-B, extrahepatic cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 8 cases for type IV-A, extrahepatic cyst excision with modified hepaticojejunostomy in 2 cases for type IV-B, non-cyst excision with or without hepaticojejunostomy in 27 cases for types I, II, IV-A, IV-B. The early postoperative morbidity and mortality rate were 16.1% (9/62) and 6.5% (4/62) respectively, and the complication rate related to surgical procedure was 30.6% (19/62). The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma with non-cyst excision or non-operated congenital choledochal cyst was 10.8% (4/37). One patient died of primary hepatocellular carcinoma after cyst excision with hepatojejunostomy. In conclusion, our results showed that complete exci-sion of choledochal cyst for types I, II, and IV-B and complete excision of extra-hepatic choledochal cyst from the hepatic hilum in type IV-A with hepaticojejunostomy or modified hepaticojejunostomy are the treatment of choice for choledochal cyst in adult patients.
Academic Medical Centers/trends ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Choledochal Cyst/*epidemiology/*surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy/*methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Jejunostomy/*methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome