Objective To analyze the protective effect of luteolin on the pancreas of mice with severe acute pancreatitis and to explore its possible molecular mechanism. Methods Sixty healthy male C57/ BL mice of SPF grade were divided into three groups according to the random number table method, the control group, the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) model group and the treatment group, 20 cases in each group. The model was established by the caerulein method. The levels of lipase, amylase, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were measured by ELASA method . The protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor(NF)-κB, P38 and p-P38 in each group were determined by Western blotting and Real-time PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the pancreas dry-wet weight ratio, lipase and amylase, inflammatory factors HO-1, TNF-α levels, oxidative stress index MDA levels increased significantly, while SOD levels were significantly lower in the model group and the treatment group (P<0. 05). Compared with the model group, the pancreas dry-wet weight ratio, lipase and amylase, TNF-α and MDA levels in the treated group decreased significantly, while HO-1 and SOD levels increased significantly (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the levels of NF-κB and p-P38 protein and mRNA in the model group and the treatment group increased significantly (P<0. 05), and there was no significant change in P38 mRNA protein and expression level (P>0. 05). Compared with the model mice, the levels of NF-κB, p-P38 protein and mRNA in the treated group decreased significantly (P<0. 05). Conclusion Luteolin has a protective effect on SAP mice. Its possible molecular mechanism is to relieve inflammatory stress and oxidative stress, and down-regulate the expression of NF-κB and p-P38 protein.

BACKGROUNDRecombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-34) (rhPTH (1-34)) is the first agent in a unique class of anabolic therapies acting on the skeleton. The efficacy and safety of long-term administration of rhPTH (1-34) in Chinese postmenopausal women had not been evaluated. This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of rhPTH (1-34) with elcatonin for treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in 11 urban areas of China.

METHODSA total of 453 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were enrolled in an 18-month, multi-center, randomized, controlled study. They were randomized to receive either rhPTH (1-34) 20 µg (200 U) daily for 18 months, or elcatonin 20 U weekly for 12 months. Lumbar spine (L1-4) and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), fracture rate, back pain as well as biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured. Adverse events were recorded.

RESULTSrhPTH (1-34) increased lumbar BMD significantly more than did elcatonin after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment (4.3% vs. 1.9%, 6.8% vs. 2.7%, 9.5% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.01). There was only a small but significant increase of femoral neck BMD after 18 months (2.6%, P < 0.01) in rhPTH groups. There were larger increases in bone turnover markers in the rhPTH (1-34) group than those in the elcatonin group after 6, 12, and 18 months (serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) 93.7% vs. -3.6%; 117.8% vs. -4.1%; 49.2% vs. -5.8%, P < 0.01; urinary C-telopeptide/creatinine (CTX/Cr) 250.0% vs. -29.5%; 330.0% vs. -41.4%, 273.0% vs. -10.6%, P < 0.01). rhPTH (1-34) showed similar effect of pain relief as elcatonin. The incidence of clinical fractures was 5.36% (6/112) in elcatonin group and 3.2% (11/341) in rhPTH (1-34) group (P = 0.303). Both treatments were well tolerated. Hypercaluria (9.4%) and hypercalcemia (7.0%) in rhPTH (1-34) group were transient and caused no clinical symptoms. Pruritus (8.2% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.044) and redness of injection site (4.4% vs. 0, P = 0.024) were more frequent in rhPTH (1-34). Nausea/vomiting (16.1% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.001) and hot flushes (7.1% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001) were more common in elcatonin group.

CONCLUSIONSrhPTH (1-34) was associated with greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and bone formation markers. It could increase femoral BMD after 18 months of treatment. rhPTH could improve back pain effectively. The results of the present study indicate that rhPTH (1-34) is an effective, safe agent in treating Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Aged ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcitonin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of two gastric cancer screening schemes for early detection of gastric cancer in a high-risk population.

METHODSA cluster random sampling method was used to select local residents aged 40-69 years from Linqu County, Shandong Province. "Serum pepsinogen initial screening combined with further endoscopic examination (PG scheme)" and "direct endoscopic examination (endoscopy scheme)" were conducted. The associations between screening schemes and detection rates of gastric cancer, and early gastric cancer/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were evaluated by unconditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSOverall, 3654 and 2290 participants completed PG and endoscopy schemes, respectively. A total of 11 (0.30%) cases of gastric cancer and 10 (0.27%) cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were detected by PG scheme, of which 7 (0.19%) cases were early gastric cancer. While, 19 (0.83%) cases of gastric cancer and 10 (0.44%) cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were detected by endoscopy scheme, with 12 (0.52%) cases of early gastric cancer. Compared with the PG scheme, the endoscopy scheme had a significantly higher detection rates of gastric cancer (OR = 2.83, 95%CI 1.34-5.98), and early gastric cancer/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (OR = 2.12, 95%CI 1.12-4.02).

CONCLUSIONSThe endoscopy scheme is more effective in the detection of gastric cancer in a high-risk population, particularly for early gastric cancer/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia than the PG scheme.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma in Situ ; blood ; diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; methods ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pepsinogen A ; blood ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis

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

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of male age on the outcome of conventional IVF-ET.

METHODSBased on male age, 170 couples undergoing conventional IVF-ET were divided into three groups: <35 yr (n = 60), 35 -39 yr (n = 77) and > or = 40 yr (n = 33). We observed the rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion in different groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the three groups in semen volume ([3.10 +/- 1.22] ml vs [2.84 +/- 1.05] ml vs [2.80 +/- 0.79] ml), sperm concentration ([54.23 +/- 26.07] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.27 +/- 24.80] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.21 +/- 27.42] x 10(6)/ml) and sperm viability ([53.93 +/- 13.25]% vs [56.10 +/- 16.58]% vs [51.82 +/- 15.45]%) (P>0.05). The men of the > or = 40 yr group showed a significantly lower percentage of grade a + b sperm ([40.97 +/- 11.91]%) than those of the <35 and 35 - 39 yr groups ([48.47 +/- 11.78]% and [46.84 +/- 13.51]%) (P<0.05), and morphologically normal sperm ([11.76 +/- 5.97]%) than those of the <35 yr group ([15.25 +/- 6.94]% (P<0.05). The rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy were 81.52%, 82.61%, 52.33%, 18.06% and 33.33% in the > or = 40 yr group, with no significant differences from those of the <35 yr group (83.18%, 82.68%, 56.99%, 22.40% and 40.00%) and the 35 - 39 yr group (78.78%, 80.66%, 55.01%, 21.74% and 38.96%) (P>0.05), while the abortion rate was markedly increased in the > or = 40 yr group as compared with the <35 yr group (36.36% vs 8.33%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreasing male age is related with decreasing percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm, but not obviously with the rates of fertilization, good quality embryo, implantation, pregnancy and abortion.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of males'age with sperm apoptosis, sperm DNA integrity and other seminal parameters.

METHODSWe collected 104 semen samples and divided them into three groups according to the males' age: <35 yr (n = 43), 35 -39 yr (n = 31), and > or = 40 yr (n = 30). Based on the WHO Laboratory Manual (4th ed), we detected the seminal parameters, calculated the percentage of apoptotic sperm by flow cytometry (FCM), determined sperm DNA integrity by Acridine orange staining, and compared the results among the three groups.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences among the < 35 yr, 35 -39 yr and > or = 40 yr groups in semen volume ([2.87 +/- 0.89] ml vs [2.98 +/- 1.09] ml vs [2.65 +/- 0.95] ml), sperm concentration ([60.40 +/- 25.43] x 10(6)/ml vs [69.74 +/- 28.33] x 10(6)/ml vs [55.97 +/- 27.22] x 10(6)/ml) (P>0.05). The percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in the > or = 40 yr ([39.00 +/- 8.35 %) than in the <35 and 35 -39 yr groups ([48.73 +/- 9.89]% and [45.65 +/- 10.55]%) (P<.0.1), and so was the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in the > or = 40 yr than in the < 35 yr group ([11.11 +/- 8.26]% vs [16.43 +/- 8.75 ]%, P<0.01). The percentage of apoptotic sperm was markedly higher in the > or = 40 yr than in the <35 yr group ([11.82 +/- 5.77]% vs [7.04 +/- 3.50]%, P<0.01), while the sperm DNA integrity significantly reduced in the > or = 40 yr group ([75.52 +/- 10.60]%) as compared with the <35 yr ([86.55 +/- 5.60])% and 35 -39 yr group ( [81.39 +/- 8.94]%) (P<0.01). The males' age was correlated positively with the rate of sperm apoptosis (P<0.01), and negatively with sperm DNA integrity and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe advance in males' age increases sperm apoptosis and reduces sperm progressive motility, normal morphology and DNA integrity.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; DNA ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Brachytherapy ; methods ; Brain Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Glioma ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Mouth Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of primary lymphoma of breast.

METHODSForty cases of primary breast lymphoma, diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, were retrospectively studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed by SP method. The follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) All the patients were females and the median age was 47 years. Unilateral and bilateral breast involvement were noted in 36 and 4 patients, respectively. The number of tumor were 31 cases (77.5%, 31/40) less than 3, and 9 cases (22.5%, 9/40) were 3 and more than 3. According to Ann Arbor staging system, 33 cases (82.5%) were in stage I to II and 7 cases (17.5%) in stage III to IV. The level of LDH in 9 cases (24.3%, 9/37) went up. For ECOG scores, 34 cases (85.0%) were 0 to 1 score and 6 cases (15.0%) were more than 2 scores. With respect to international prognostic index, 83.8% (31/37) were of score 0 to 2 and 16.2% (6/37) were of score 3 and more than 3. The axillary lymph nodes of 21 patients (53.8%, 21/39) were involved by the malignancy. (2) Histologically, 38 cases (95.0%, 38/40) were classified as B-cell lymphoma [including 27 cases (67.5%) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 8 cases (20.0%) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 2 cases of follicular lymphoma and 1 case of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma]. The remaining cases included one case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and one case of lymphoblastic lymphoma. Immunohistochemically, expression of CD20+/- CD79a were demonstrated in the 38 cases (95.0%) of B-cell lymphoma. The staining for CK was negative in all cases. In 33 cases, the positive rates of MUM-1, bcl-6 and bcl-2 were 57.6% (19/33), 30.3% (10/33) and 72.7% (24/33), respectively. Three cases were germinal center B cell phenotype and 21 cases were non-germinal center B cell phenotype. (3) Follow-up information was available in 37 patients (92.5%, 37/40). Twenty-three patients (62.2%, 23/37) were still alive and fourteen ones (37.8%, 14/37) died. For the 27 cases with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the five-year and disease-free survival rates were 48.0% and 36.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary breast lymphoma is a rare disease entity. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest histologic type and the majority show a non-germinal center B cell phenotype. The level of LDH, number of tumor and international prognostic index are of prognostic significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the united intraoperative (125)I seed implantation as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODSFrom January 2000 to August 2004, according to preoperative CT staging criteria, 298 patients in phase II to III of ESCC had been enrolled in this prospective study. With informed consent, they were randomized into two groups: intraoperative (125)I seed implantation (group A) and surgery alone (group B). With 0.5 mCi of single seed, total activity in 10 to 30 mCi, matched peripheral dose in 60 to 70 Gy, 20 to 40 (125)I seeds were implanted into the target under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The post-operative complications were observed. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X imaging. The short-term efficacy was evaluated according to WHO criteria. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rate were followed up.

RESULTSOn the close date of August 31st 2008, the satisfied quality assessment of (125)I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence rates in the group A and group B were 14.9% and 38.7%, respectively, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The complete response and partial response rate in the group A was 78.8%. It was significantly higher than 30.3% in the group B (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference among groups when comparing the complications (P > 0.05). The 1-year survival rates were no statistical difference among the two groups. However, the 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates in group A (64.0%, 42.7%, and 25.1%) were statistically different from that in the B group (52.0%, 34.5%, and 12.6%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe, effective and simple application about the intraoperative (125)I seed implantation for advanced ESCC. It may reduce the local recurrence rate and improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as a multimodality treatment option for locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by a prospective comparison between surgery alone and postoperative CRT.

METHODSUsing preoperative computed tomography (CT)-based staging criteria, 158 patients with ESCC (stage II-III) were enrolled in this prospective study. With informed consent, the patients were randomized into two groups: postoperative CRT (78 cases) and surgery alone (S, 80 cases). After a few minor adjustments to the enrolled patients, the actual patients of postoperative CRT group and S group were 74 cases and 77 cases, respectively. Comparison of the complications, local recurrence rate, distant metastasis rate, survival rate and progression-free survival in the two groups was carried out.

RESULTSWith a median follow-up of 37.5 months, the 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 91.0%, 62.8%, 42.3%, 24.4% and 87.5%, 51.3%, 33.8%, 12.5% for the postoperative CRT and S arm, respectively. A significant difference in OS was detected between the two arms (P = 0.0276). There was a significant difference of progression-free survival (PFS) between the two arms (P = 0.0136). The local recurrence rates in the postoperative CRT group and S group were 14.9% and 36.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between the complications of the two groups (P > 0.05). Toxicities of chemoradiotherapy in the postoperative CRT arm were moderate, which can be relieved rapidly by adequate therapy.

CONCLUSIONRational application of postoperative chemoradiotherapy can provide a benefit in progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Survival Rate