In order to investigate the impact of fulvic acid (FA) on the hydroxylysyl glycosylation in collagen bio-synthesis, 40 NMRI mice were divided into two groups (n = 20 in each group, consisting 10 females and 10 males). The animal was maintained for two generations by different diets: control group with normal water and food and study group with water containing 30 mg/L FA and normal food. The second generation of the animal was slaughtered, and the biochemical parameters of collagen content and the degree of collagen hydroxylysyl glycosylation in skin, rib and tibia were detected by biochemical methods. The mean value of collagen in the study group was increased slightly, and no significant difference between study group and control group was found (P > 0.05), but the content of glucose-glactose-hydroxylysine (GGH) was significantly decreased in the study group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). It was suggested that through the decrease of GGH 30 mg/L FA could inhibit the activity of galactosyl-hydroxylysylglucosyl-transferase and further disturb the post-translational modification of collagen intracellularly.
Benzopyrans/*pharmacology ; Bone Development ; Bone and Bones/chemistry ; Bone and Bones/*metabolism ; Collagen/*biosynthesis ; Glycosylation ; Hydroxylysine/*metabolism ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Osteoarthritis/etiology ; Selenium/deficiency

Objective To study the relationship between lymph node micrometastasis in early gastric cancer and clinicopathology of tumor,and explore an appropriate operative procedure.Methods A total of 1 004 lymph nodes from 50 patients with early gastric cancer(EGC)were sliced and restained with H.E and immunohistochemical technique,respectively.Immunohistochemical staining was performed by the streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method with cytokeratin-specific monoclonal antibody CAM5.2.The relationship between lymph node micrometastasis and clinicopathological characteristics of primary tumors and prognosis of EGC was analysed.Results The incidence of nodal micro-involvement was significantly increased in diffuse type cancerous lesions(n=11,32.35%)as compared with intestinal type cancerous lesions(n=1,6.25%)(P

Objective To compare the efficacy between the two-cuff swan neck catheter and the Tenckhoff catheter in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients prospectively. Methods One hundred and ten patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were selected as candidates, who received catheter implantation and CAPD therapy for the first time. Patients were divided into group A (swan neck catheter group) and group B (Tenckhoff catheter group), 55 patients for each group. Catheters of beth groups had a straight end and were implanted by routine surgical procedure. One-year follow-up was performed and information was recorded such as complications, survival time, quit of dialysis, death, etc. Survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank tests. Results At the end of follow-up, 17 patients died, 3 received renal transplantation, 8 were transferred to hemodialysis, 3 went to other hospitals, and 79 patients (71.8%) remained in our department for CAPD. Twenty-six patients of both groups had peritonitis with a total of 35 occurrences. The total incidence of peritonitis was 0.32 times/patient year, with the detailed figure of 0.35 times/patient year for group A and 0.29 times/patient year for group B respectively (P0.05). The time interval between the catheter implanting and the onset of peritonitis was (30±29) weeks and (29±24) weeks for group A and group B respectively (P0.05). The risk of developing peritonitis in both groups was 26.97% within 1 year. Tunnel infection occurred in 2 patients and exit-site infections in 9 patients of two groups. The incidence of tunnel plus exit-site infections was 0.1 times/patient year. Incidence of tunnel infection and the exit-site infection for group A was lower than that of group B (0 vs 0.036 times/patient year and 0.06 times/patient year vs 0.11 times/patient year respectively). However, the difference was not significant (P0.05). Mechanical complications of catheter (catheter migration, omcntum wrapping, leakage of peritoneal dialysates, slip out of outer cuff), incidence of inguinal hernia and bellyache between two groups were not significantly different (P0.05). There were 4 cases of catheter drawing in each group. Both two groups had the same 12-month technical survival rate as 92.73%. Of 17 dead cases, 7 were in group A and 10 in group B (P0.05). The main death causes were cardiocerebral events (47.1%) and infections (23.5%). The 12-month survival rate was 86.34% for group A and 80.68% for group B (P0.05). Conclusions There are no significant differences of infection, mechanical complications, technical survival rate and patients' survival rate between two groups. The efficacy of swan-neck catheter is similar to Tenckhoff catheter in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the value of dual energy CT (DECT) in the differentiation of mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes from non-metastatic lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: In the study, 57 surgically confirmed NSCLC patients who underwent enhanced DECT scan within 2 weeks before operation were enrolled. Two radiologists analyzed the CT images before operation. All mediastinal lymph nodes with short diameter≥5 mm on axial images were included in this study. The morphological parameters [long-axis diameter (L), short-axis diameter (S) and S/L of lymph nodes] and the DECT parameters [iodine concentration (IC), normalized iodine concentration (NIC), slope of spectral hounsfield unit curve (λHU) and effective atomic number (Zeff) in arterial and venous phase] were measured. The differences of morphological parameters and DECT parameters between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were compared. The parameters with significant difference were analyzed by the Logistic regression model, then a new predictive variable was established. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed for S, NIC in venous phase and the new predictive variable. RESULTS: In 57 patients, 49 metastatic lymph nodes and 938 non-metastatic lymph nodes were confirmed by surgical pathology. A total of 163 mediastinal lymph nodes (49 metastatic, 114 non-metastatic) with S≥5 mm were detected on axial CT images. The S, L and S/L of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly higher than those of non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). The DECT parameters of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower than those of non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). The best single morphological parameter for differentiation between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes was S (AUC, 0.752; threshold, 8.5 mm; sensitivity, 67.4%; specificity, 73.7%; accuracy, 71.8%). The best single DECT parameter for differentiation between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes was NIC in venous phase (AUC, 0.861; threshold, 0.53; sensitivity, 95.9%; specificity, 70.2%; accuracy, 77.9%). Multivariate analysis showed that S and NIC were independent predictors of lymph node metastasis. The AUC of combined S and NIC in the venous phase was 0.895(sensitivity, 79.6%; specificity, 87.7%; accuracy, 85.3%), which were significantly higher than that of S (P < 0.001) and NIC (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS The ability of quantitative DECT parameters to distinguish mediastinal lymph node metastasis in NSCLC patients is better than that of morphological parameters. Combined S and NIC in venous phase can be used to improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy of metastatic lymph nodes.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mediastinum ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation of heparanase gene and angiogenesis with the progress of gastric carcinoma (GC).

METHODSExpression of heparanase mRNA in 52 GC tissue was detected by in situ hybridization assay. Microvessel density (MVD) was examined by immunohistochemical method. MVD and heparanase mRNA expression were analysed with their relation to histological grade, invasion depth,lymph node metastasis and organ metastasis.

RESULTSMVD was 73.2 +/- 22.8 in 25 (48.1%) tissue with positive heparanase mRNA. It was 44.8 +/- 11.9 in 27 (51.9%) tissues with negative heparanase mRNA, between which the difference was significant (P < 0.001). MVD and heparanase mRNA expression were related with lymph node metastasis and depth of serosal invasion in GC (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONHeparanase, being related to angiogenesis in gastric cancer, promotes growth, invasion and metastasis. Heparanase mRNA expression is an important predictor of the biological behavior of human gastric carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; enzymology ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; enzymology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucuronidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microcirculation ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; enzymology ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the three species of oral Actinomyces have inhibitory effects on the growth of oral Candida albicans in vitro.

METHODSStraight o'clock method was used to observe the bacteriostasis circle. Reverse o'clock and mixed culture method were used to study the quantitative changes of Candida albicans colony respectively.

RESULTS(1) None of the groups had been viewed the bacteriostasis circle. (2) Compared with control groups, there was a significant decrease of Candida albicans colony on Actinomyces viscosus TPY soft agar (P < 0.05). Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus TPY soft agar were both devoid of obvious Candida albicans colony (P < 0.01). The former group (Actinomyces viscosus) and the two latter groups (Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus) showed a striking contrast (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with control groups, a decrease of Candida albicans showed up in the mixed culture, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The discrepancies among the three experimental groups were of no statistical value (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOral Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. However, which of them contributed more to the inhibitory effects was still not affirmed.

Actinomyces ; Actinomyces viscosus ; Candida albicans ; In Vitro Techniques

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo review the clinical features of the thoracolumbar fracture with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in order to avoid delayed or missed diagnosis.

METHODSFive patients of thoracolumbar fracture with AS treated from April 2005 to June 2007 in our department were studied retrospectively, male 4 cases, female 1 case, the age from 26- to 72-years-old with an average of 44.8 years. Analysis including: case history, number of the ankylosed vertebras, characteristic of fracture, active state rheumatism.

RESULTSThe patients had the history of AS for average 22.6 years. The mean number of the ankylosed vertebras was 18.2. Of the 5 cases, 1 case encountered traffic accident, 1case was sprained, and 3 cases without trauma were diagnosed as stress fracture. Two cases were trans-vertebra fracture: the fracture line was through T6, T7, or L1 vertebral body respectively; 3 cases were through the disc space: 2 cases were through L1,2 disc space, 1 case was through L2,3. No compression fracture and neurological injury were found. The acute inflammatory index such as ESR and CRP in 4 cases didn't correlate with the degree of pain. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) hadn't significant effectiveness in relieving pain. The patients were diagnosed as 'relapse' of AS in other hospital, and had been misdiagnosed for average 1.51 months.

CONCLUSION1) the fracture is prevalent at the middle or late period of AS when extensive ankylosis has been existed at the thoracolumbar region; 2) the fracture is common at the lower thoracal spine and the upper lumbar spine, and the majority is the stress fracture; 3) the fracture line may be through the vertebral body, but more often through the disc space; 4) it is like an exacerbation of AS and therefore to be missed diagnosis; 5) when the back pain exacerbated suddenly in the middle or late period of AS, the degree of pain not correlating with acute inflammatory index, and the NSAIDs ineffective, the thoracolumbar fracture should be considered.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries

Objective To evaluate the effects of drotaverine hydrochloride versus scopolamine in re-ducing duodenal motility and in facilitating cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogra-phy (ERCP). Methods Randomized controlled trial of 650 participants from 4 endoscopic centers assigned to receive scopolamine 20 mg or drotaverine hydrochloride 40 mg intravenously 15 minutes before ERCP. Pa-rameters including duodenal motility grades, success rates of deep cannulation, ERCP-related complications and adverse effects were recorded. Results The data of 638 patients (319 in each group) were valid. There were no significant differences in duodenal motility grades (1.17 ±0. 82 vs. 1.13 ± 0.89, P =0. 705), success rate of deep cannulation (90. 9% vs. 91.8%, P =0. 672) and incidence of ERCP-related complications (11.3% vs. 11.0%, P =0. 900) between 2 groups. However, the incidence of tachycardia (heart rate > 120 bpm) during ERCP was lower in drotaverine group than in scopolamine group (2. 2% vs. 6. 9%, P = 0. 004). There was no significant difference in other adverse effects (nausea, vomiting) between 2 groups. Conclusion Drotaverine hydrochloride may provide a reasonable alternative as antimotility agent before ERCP.

Objective To analyze the causes and clinical features of 20 patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in order to improve the prognosis. Methods Twenty patients with HUS hospitalized in our department during July 1998 to December 2004 were enrolled in this study. The etiology, clinical features, individualized therapy and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results These 20 HUS patients (18 HUS patients complicated with ARF) accounted for 2.48% of total patients with acute renal failure (ARF) in our hospital. There were 16 females and 4 males with mean age of (49.11±19.85) years. Five patients were idiopathic HUS and the other 15 were secondary HUS (10 SLE-associated HUS, 2 pregnancy-associated HUS, 1 APS-associated HUS, 1 renal arterioles sclerosis-associated HUS and 1 drug-associated HUS). Eighteen cases had ARF and 15 had nephrotic syndrome. Hypertension was found in 17 patients, among them 4 had malignant hypertension. Twelve patients had gross hematuria and the other 8 had microscopic hematuria. Diarrhea was found only in 1 patient. At onset, mean serum creatinine was (504.40±381.10) μmol/L and 24-h proteinuria was (5.0±2.6) g. Renal biopsy was pedormed in 16 patients. Fourteen patients received hemopurification therapy: 2 patients plasma exchange (PE); 8 patients PE combined with CVVHDF and /or HD; 4 patients CVVHDF and HD. Seven cases were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Patients with SLE-associated HUS received the corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Low or middle dosage of corticosteroids( 10-40 mg/d) was administered in patients with idiopathic HUS. For patients with APS, low molecular weight heparin was used. HUS patients were followed-up for average (46.0±32.8) months. During follow-up, 4 patients died, 11 recovered from renal insufficiency, 4 progressed to end stage renal failure of whom 2 depended on dialysis and 1 lost. The survival rates of SLE-associated HUS and none-SLE-associated HUS were 70% and 90%, and renal survival rates were 50% and 60% respectively, which were not significantly different between these two groups. Conclusions Most of the patients are secondary HUS. SLE-associated HUS is the main type of secondary HUS. The prognosis of SLE-associated HUS is poor. PE and IVIg are main therapy. Low dosage of corticosteroids can reduce relapse of HUS. Immunosuppressants can improve the prognosis.