The bactericidal mechanism of carbon monoxide (CO) and the feasibility of CO-releasing molecules as anti-infective drugs were summarized by consulting scientific literature, combined with our own research work. Anaerobic bacteria are usually tolerant to high concentration of CO, and some can even grow with CO as sole carbon or energy source, but most pathogenic bacteria are sensitive to CO. In view of the difficulty of gaseous CO in controlling the applying dose and the action site, CO release molecules were synthesized. CO release molecules not only have higher bactericidal activities against common pathogenic bacteria than gaseous CO, but also have the ability to kill antibiotics-resistant bacteria and destroy their biofilms. CO mainly binds with heme-Fe²⁺ in cells, interrupting the electron transfer of respiration chains, which would result in the generation of reactive oxygen species. CO can also disturb intracellular ion balance, which further triggers free radical reactions. Due to its diverse acting targets, uneasy to induce drug resistance, and synergistic effect with other antibiotics, CO is expected to be the next generation of anti-infection drugs.

Objective To discuss the donor site complications and the treatments of the anterolateral thiIgh flap transfer. Methods From July 1988 to July 2007,427 patients treated by anterolateral thish flap surgery were followed up.The donor sites were treated by several methods,including direct closure(49 cases),skin graft transfer(258 cases),anterolateral fascial flap transfer(27 cases),musculocutaneous flap and skin sraft transfer(65 cases), superficial epigastric artery flap transfer(28cases).The area of these flaps ranged from 30 cm×10 cm to 18 cm×7 cm.and the average follow-up was 21 months(ranged from 8 months to 54 months). All the data was analyzed by SPSS for Windows,Version 11.0.1. Results Short-term complications(within 4 weeks)and long-term complications (over 6months)were observed.The former included skin necrosis(5.4%),wound infection(4.0%),and necrosis of rectus femoris(0.5%); and the latter included chronic ulcer(4.9%), aerious scar(6.6%), serious discomfortable(5.9%),and quadriceps femoris disfunction(3.7%).The statistical results showed that there was a close correlation between the donor site morbidity and the surgical methods. Conclusion The complications of the donor site cannot be ignored.Protect the soft-tissue of the donor site carefully,design all appropriate operation plan.Careful preoperative examination and local flap transplantation can effectively decrease the rate of complications.

To introduce peptidoglycan recycling and the β-lactams resistance mechanisms of bacteria, so that some help would be supplied to corresponding scientific workers and university teachers. By searching literatures, combined with our own studies, the bactericidal mechanisms of β-lactams and the resistance mechanisms of bacteria to β-lactams were summarized. The bactericidal activity of β-lactams is resulted from the inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis through combination with penicillin binding proteins such as transpeptidase destruction of peptidoglycan balances between biosynthesis and hydrolysis. The drug resistance of bacteria is resulted from the induction of β-lactamase, expression of out-pumping proteins, increase of outmembrane permeability, and modification of antibiotic target proteins. The proteins related to peptidoglycan recycling, such as transpeptidase and glycosyltransferase, would be potential targets for screening new β-lactams. The proteins related to β-lactams resistance, such as β-lactamase, would be potential targets for screening adjuvant drugs of β-lactams.

Objective To observe the effects of Fengshi Bitong Prescription (FSBT) on cytokines in serum and Fas/FasL mRNA expression system in synovium; To discuss relevant mechanism of action. Methods Rats were given foot intradermal injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen emulsion to establish collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. After successful modeling, they were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, CIA model group, tripterygium glycosides group, FSBT high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. Each medication group was given relevant medicine for gavage for 14 d. The weight and arthritis scores of CIA rats were observed. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-15, and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA. Expressions of Fas and FasL mRNA in synovium of CIA rats were detected by real-time PCR. Results Compared with model group, the foot arthritis score and serum levels of IL-15 in FSBT high- and medium-dose groups significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the serum level of TGF-β1 significantly increased (P<0.05). Expression of Fas significantly decreased and FasL significantly increased in FSBT high-dose group (P<0.05). Conclusion FSBT may have certain immune regulation effects on rheumatoid arthritis. Its mechanism may be in regulating Fas/FasL apoptosis system, thereby inducing apoptosis of synovial cells and inhibiting synovial hyperplasia.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of periradicular compound betamethasone injections into the periganglionic space in the treatment of radicular pain.Methods Periganglionic compound betamethasone infiltrations were performed in 76 patients with lumbar radicular pain under MSCT guidance.All patients were divided into two groups including group 1(31 cases of lumbar disc herniation)and group 2(45 cases of lumbar degenerative disorders).The total and two groups scores of VAS were compared after the therapeutic procedure with evaluation of the efficacy.Results 88%(69/76)of patients showed significant pain reduction,with the score of VAS 6.5?2.0(before therapy)dropping to 3.4?1.8(after 1 week)and 3.8?1.9(after 3 month).Differences in improvements before and after the therapy were statistically significant.Differences between one-week and three-month follow-up were not statistically significant.Differences between the two groups demonstrated no statistical significance.Conclusion Periradicular compound betamethasone injection under CT guidance is safe and useful in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Migraine Disorders ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Models, Theoretical ; Neuropeptides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Professional Practice

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation of phlegm-stasis syndrome with insulin resistance and monocyte peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma messenger ribonucleic acid (PPARgamma mRNA) expression in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSSixty patients with CHD were differentiated into three syndrome types, the non-phlegm non-stasis (NN) type, the phlegm congealing heart vessel (PC) type and the phlegm-stasis cemented (PS) type. Besides, 20 healthy volunteers were selected as the normal control. Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) were determined and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated accordingly. The expression of PPARgamma mRNA in the peripheral monocytes was assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSLevels of FINS, HOMA-IR and PPAR-gamma mRNA expression in all CHD patients were higher than in the normal control (P <0.01, P < 0.05); comparisons of the three indexes between patients of different syndrome types showed that they were higher in PC type and PS type than in NN type (P < 0.05 or P <0.01), and the difference between PC type and PS type was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChanges of insulin resistance and PPARgamma mRNA expression in monocytes are possibly one of the mechanisms for the development of phlegm-stasis syndrome in CHD.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drug Design ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Microarray Analysis ; RNA ; chemistry ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; chemistry ; genetics ; Surface Plasmon Resonance

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of male reproductive tract infection (RTI) with semen parameters and sperm DNA damage.

METHODSWe classified 1 084 males attending the infertility clinic into an RTI group (n = 300) and a non-RTI control group (n = 784). According to the WHO standards, we obtained routine semen parameters, detected sperm morphology, and determined the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by sperm chromatin structure assay.

RESULTSThere were statistically significant differences between the RTI and control groups in the semen volume ( [2.58 ± 1.20] vs [3.00 ± 2.10] ml), grade a + b sperm ([50.6 ± 17.2] vs [53.2 ± 15.8]%), grade d sperm ( [39. 8 ± 17.8] vs [36.5 ± 16.2]%), and total sperm count ([218.5 ± 185.0 ] vs [278.5 ± 375.5 ] x 10(6)/ejaculate) (all P < 0.05), but not in the males' age, sperm concentration or pH value (P > 0.05). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly lower ([3.46 ± 2.90] vs [4.61 ± 3.60%, P < 0.05) but the DFI was markedly higher in the RTI group than in the control ([19.4 ± 11.4] vs [15.2 ± 8.8]% , P < 0.01). The percentage of the cases with DFI > 30% was remarkably higher (13.0 vs 5.74% ) while that of the cases with DFI < 10% dramatically lower in the former than in the latter (16.0 vs 28.0%). The level of seminal plasma elastase was correlated negatively to sperm concentration, sperm count, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05) but positively to DFI and grade d sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMale reproductive tract infection not only affects semen parameters and sperm morphology but also causes serious sperm DNA damage.

DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; physiopathology ; Semen ; chemistry ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

To investigate physicians' knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in tertiary hospitals in northeast China.Physicians from 77 tertiary hospitals in northeast China were surveyed with a questionnaire,which included questions such as risk factors,symptoms,exacerbations,comorbidities and diagnostic criteria of COPD.Besides cigarette smoking,air pollution and pulmonary infections,only 22.5％ (40/178) physicians recognized that the biomass fuels may induce COPD.Totally 59.0％ (105/178) physicians recognized the importance of spirometry to the diagnosis of COPD.Besides dyspnea,cough,sputum production,wheezing and chest tightness,only 23.7％ (42/177)of physicians considered that limitation of activity was an important symptom of COPD.65.5％ (116/177)physicians believed that recurrent lung infections was one of the most important comorbidities of COPD.However,less than 30％ [20.9％ (37/177)-28.8％ (51/177)] physicians were aware of the other important comorbidities.The physicians of tertiary hospitals in northeast China need to be systematically educated on COPD to meet the new guideline.