The chemical constituents of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne were investigated using chromatographic methods, including Diaion HP-20, Toyopearl HW-40, MCI Gel CHP-20, ODS, Silica gel chromatography and semi-preparative-HPLC. Three compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated with spectral data and physicochemical properties, which were identified as chaenomeles alkaloid A (1), ginsenine (2) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl-β-carboline-3-car-boxylic acid (3). Among those, compound 1 is a new alkaloid, compound 2 and 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time. To investigate the protective effect of compounds 1-3 on Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) injury induced by the β-amyloid protein (Aβ_25-35). The results show that compounds 2 and 3 have a significant protective effect on the PC12 cells exposed to Aβ_25-35.

Objective:To purpose of this study is to introduce how peripheral blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before operations influences the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Methods:Review of systems were used to analyze patients who suffered from breast cancer and accepted modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer according to the clinical data of 180 cases of Shenyang Military Region General Hospital between January 2002 and January 2005.All the patients were classified into two groups according to the NLR with the critical value at 6.0.2 statistics were used to evaluate the relationship between NLR of two groups and clinical pathological characteristic.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox's proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the relationship among NLR of two groups,other clinical pathologic characteristic and prognosis of patients.Results:The high level of NLR is related with the size of patients' tumor,lymph node metastasis and TNM stages (P＜0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated the group of high level of NLR's overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly lower than the low level NLR group (P＜0.05).Single factor and multivariate cox's proportional hazards regression model indicated the high level of NLR before operations,the size of tumor,lymph node metastasis and TNM stages were significantly related with the OS and DFS (P＜0.05).Conclusion:The high level of NLR before operations is an independent risk factor to influence the OS and DFS of the patients who accepted modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer.

Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

METHODSWe included in this study 43 cases of advanced prostate cancer with BOO treated by TURP, and analyzed their IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate and relevant risk factors pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months after TURP.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, IPSS and the maximum urinary flow rate of the patients showed significant differences 3 months after surgery ([19.60 +/- 0.41] score vs. [9.58 +/- 0.33] score, [4.93 +/- 0.68] ml/s vs. [8.96 +/- 0.47] ml/s, P < 0.05), but not at 12 months ([15.73 +/- 0.66] score, [5.67 +/- 0.44] ml/s). In multiple regression analysis, a good outcome was associated with pre-operative acute urinary retention, while poor prognosis with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer with BOO, TURP can reduce IPSS and increase the maximum urinary flow rate in the early period after surgery, but its long-term effect is not so desirable. Meanwhile the operation itself may bring about relevant complications and reduce the patient's quality of life.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; surgery

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a variable natural history and not all individuals follow the same course. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and characteristics of asymptomatic COPD patients from a population-based survey in China.

METHODSA multistage cluster sampling strategy was used in a population from seven different provinces/cities. All residents (over 40 years old) were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire and spirometry. Post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 70% was defined as the diagnostic criterion of COPD. All COPD patients screened were divided into symptomatic group and asymptomatic group according to the presence or absence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Socio-demographic, personal and exposure variables were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 1668 patients who were diagnosed with COPD from the 25 627 sampling subjects, 589 (35.3%) were asymptomatic. The age, sex, body mass index (BMI), rural and urban distributions, smoking habit and education levels were similar in the two groups. A total of 64.7% of the asymptomatic patients had no comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer were more common among symptomatic COPD patients than asymptomatic group. Asymptomatic COPD group were less likely to present with poor ventilation in the kitchen, a family history of respiratory disease and recurrent childhood cough. Asymptomatic COPD patients had significantly higher FEV(1) (73.1% vs. 61.0%), FVC (91.9% vs. 82.0%), and a higher ratio of FEV(1)/FVC (62.9% vs. 58.7%) (all P < 0.001) than symptomatic group. More asymptomatic patients were underdiagnosed (91.9% vs. 54.3%, P < 0.001) than symptomatic patients.

CONCLUSIONSThis large population-based survey confirmed a high prevalence of asymptomatic COPD patients in China. More use of spirometry screening test may be important to the early detection of COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Spirometry ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical implications of reperfusion arrhythmias during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSData from 228 AMI patients in whom the infarct-related artery (IRA) were successfully recanalized by primary PCI were retrospectively analyzed. The 228 patients were divided into 2 groups: myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) group (n=119) in whom MIRI events occurred within minutes after successful recanalization of IRA, and non-MIRI group (n=109). The 119 patients in MIRI group were further divided into 3 subgroups: severe bradycardia with hypotension (brady-arrhythmia subgroup), lethal ventricular arrhythmias requiring electrical cardioversion (tachy-arrhythmia subgroup), and IRA antegrade flow less than or equal to TIMI 2 grade without angiographic evidence of abrupt closure (no-reflow subgroup).

RESULTS(1) Clinical and angiographic data: Compared with non-MIRI group, MIRI group was characterized by more inferior infarct location, shorter ischemic duration, more frequently right coronary artery as IRA, more diseased vessels, more often TIMI 0 grade of initial antegrade flow in IRA, less pre-infarction angina, more renal insufficiency, and higher in-hospital mortality (13.4% vs. 4.6%, P=0.021). (2) The peak CK level was remarkably lower in brady-arrhythmia subgroup than that in non-MIRI group (2010 IU/L vs. 2521 IU/L, P=0.039). The peak CK or CK-MB level was notably higher in no-reflow subgroup than in non-MIRI group (4573 IU/L, 338 IU/L, respectively, P=0.000). (3) Left ventricular ejection fraction in no-reflow subgroup was significantly lower than in non-MIRI group (38.7% +/- 8.3% vs. 51.2% +/- 8.1%, P=0.000), left ventricular end-diastolic volume in no-reflow subgroup was greater than that in tachy-arrhythmia subgroup [(135 +/- 32) ml vs. (105 +/- 19) ml, P=0.029].

CONCLUSIONReperfusion arrhythmias may imply the existence of much survived myocardium and do not enhance myocardial damage, while no-reflow increases myocardial injury and induces permanent impairment of cardiac function.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; complications ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Retrospective Studies

AIMTo investigate the effect of iguratimod (T-614), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on TNFalpha mRNA expression and TNFalpha production, and on the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the rat alveolar macrophage cell line (NR8383) activated by LPS.

METHODSNR8383 cells were pretreated with T-614 (13.4, 26.7, 53.4 micromol x L(-1)), then were stimulated with LPS. The production of TNFalpha in the supernatant of NR8383 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TNFalpha mRNA level was determined by a semi-quantitative PCR assay. Assessment of the NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was performed by an ELISA kit.

RESULTST-614 inhibited LPS-stimulated mRNA expression and production of TNFalpha in a concentration-dependent manner, as well as the activity of NF-kappaB. The IC50 value of effect of T-614 on TNFalpha level was 26.2 micromol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe inhibitory effect of T-614 on the production of TNFalpha in LPS-stimulated NR8383 cells may be mediated by suppression of NF-kappaB activity.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of intraarticular injection of ligustrazine on knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Seventy-one cases of knee osteoarthritis (82 knees) were randomly divided into ligustrazine (LI) group and sodium hyaluronate (SH) group. The patients were intraarticularly injected ligustrazine or sodium hyaluronate once a week for 5 consecutive weeks, and were followed-up for 3 months. Lequesneos protocol for the evaluation of OA severity and activity was used. The therapeutic effects and changes of Lequesneos index were observed after the treatment. RESULTS: There was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in SH group after the treatment (P<0.01), but not in LI group (P>0.05). Three weeks later, there was significant decrease in Lequesneos index in both groups after the treatment (P<0.01), with no significant difference between SH and LI group (P>0.05). After the 5-week treatment, the efficacy rate of the LI group was 82.1%, and that of the SH group was 87.2%. No serious toxic or side effect was observed during the treatment and the follow-up. CONCLUSION Intraarticular injection of ligustrazine has a therapeutic effect on knee OA. No adverse effect is observed, but it needs long time to take effect.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk and protective factors for the occurrence of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSClinical and angiographic data of 228 AMI patients in whom the infarct-related arteries (IRA) were successfully revascularized by primary PCI were analyzed retrospectively. MIRI was defined if the following conditions existed after PCI: severe bradycardia with hypotension, or lethal ventricular arrhythmias requiring electrical cardioversion, or IRA antegrade flow < or = TIMI 2 grade flow without angiographic evidence of thrombus, emboli, dissection or spasm. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent relative factors among 18 clinical and angiographic factors for occurrence of MIRI.

RESULTSMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for MIRI were the time intervals from AMI onset to IRA reflow < or = 6 h (P = 0.014), inferior infarction localization (P = 0.006), IRA antegrade flow prior to PCI < or = TIMI 1 grade (P = 0.028), multivessel lesions (P = 0.063) and renal insufficiency (P = 0.067). Pre-infarction angina was found to be an independent protective factor (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSShort time intervals from AMI onset to IRA revascularization, inferior wall infarction location, low IRA antegrade flow prior to PCI, multivessel lesions and renal insufficiency may promote the occurrence of MIRI during primary PCI, whereas pre-infarction angina may be a cardioprotective factor attenuating MIRI.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene plus 5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) on the growth of human colon cancer xenograftin nude mice.

METHODSRetroviral vector expressing CD gene was transfected into human colon cancer SW1116 cells. Expression of the transfected CD gene in SW1116 (SWCD(2)) was confirmed by RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity of 5-Fc on SW1116 was determined by MTT assay in vitro. In vivo, the CD gene expression vector was injected intratumorally and 5-Fc was given by ip injections.

RESULTSIn vitro, SWCD(2) cells were killed by 5-Fc with an IC(50) of 66 micromol/L while the nontrasfected SW1116 cells needed an IC(50) of 16 000 micromol/L to be killed. The growth of SWCD(2) xenografts was significantly inhibited by systemic administration of 5-Fc.

CONCLUSIONCD gene/5-Fc system is a potential gene therapy strategy for human colon cancer.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Transfection