Research progress of the serum procalcitonin in patients with intra-abdominal infection / 医学研究生学报

Serum procalcitonin (PCT), an important diagnostic biomarker for bacterial infection, has been used to guide the diagnosis and treatment in some infectious diseases. PCT has been proven to be helpful for the early diagnosis and guiding the antibiotic treatment of intra-abdominal infection (IAI), and it is related to the severity of IAI. However, it is still controversial whether PCT has the advantage of early diagnosis compared with C-reactive protein (CRP), whether it can be further used in severity grading of IAI. And either the critical value of PCT to the early diagnosis of IAI or the cutoff ranges of PCT to stop using antibiotics in patients with IAI is still uncertain. In this review, we discuss the value of PCT in the early diagnosis, severity evaluation and antibiotic treatment of IAI and other infectious diseases.

Clinical significance of anatomic parameters of acetabular anterior column of normal male and female adults by digital measurement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Acetabulum anterior column shape is complex, and closed to femoral artery, and femoral nerve. Fixed screws easily went into the acetabulum. Currently, there was less data on quantitative anatomy data of pelvic acetabulum fracture with anterior column plate internal fixation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the pelvis gender differences by analyzing digital anatomical features of normal adult acetabulum anterior column section through digital three-dimensional reconstruction and measurement. METHODS: Totally 30 normal adults (half male and half female) received pelvic CT scans, and data were obtained. Using Materialise Mimics Innovation Suite 16.0 software, the boundary of the pelvis was used as reference line for sectioning. The obturator groove, iliopubic eminence, anterior inferior iliac spine, and the anterior superior iliac spine were used as a reference mark. In 15 males and 15 females (30 sides), the corresponding boundary line from obturator groove to the anterior superior iliac spine of acetabular anterior column was sliced into 5 mm-thick sections. The tangent line was vertical to the boundary line. The tangent plane was vertical to the upper plane of the anterior column. The angle and length of each section 5, 10, 15 mm points from the boundary line to the acetabulum, and the perpendicular distance from anterior and posterior edges of the acetabulum to anterior inferior iliac spine, iliopubic eminence and the pubic tubercle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Acetabular anterior column from the obturator groove to the anterior superior iliac spine section was not significantly different (P > 0.05). (2) No matter in males or females, the tangent angle of the fifth layer section was minimum, and the tangent length of the sixth layer section was longest. The length and angle of the second slice at 5 mm point were not significantly different between males and females. However, above indexes in others were significantly larger in females than in males (P < 0.05). (3) Results indicated that in different fracture ranges and different fixation plate positions, the angle and length of pedicle screws are dynamic, so we only selected in accordance with above range, but cannot fix in a certain value. The design of the most accurate and effective placement angle and length should be aimed at nailing design parameters for each individual patient. The use of Mimics software can be used for three-dimensional reconstruction of CT data of adult acetabular anterior column fracture, and can measure the number of indexes, and provide a theoretical reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of acetabular anterior column fracture.

Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure Patients with Qi-Yang Deficiency and Blood Stasis Resistance Syndrome by Xnmallong Injection: a Multi-center Randomized Control Study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xinmailong Injection (XI) in treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with qi-yang deficiency and blood stasis resistance syndrome (QY-DBSRS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 238 CHF patients with QYDBSRS were assigned to the treatment group (118 cases) and the control group (120 cases) by randomized, double-blind, placebo parallel controlled method. Patients in the treatment group received routine therapy and XI (100 mg/2 mL, by dripping at 5 mg/kg, twice per day for 5 consecutive days), while those in the control group received routine therapy and XI mimetic agent (100 mg/2 mL, by dripping at 5 mg/kg, twice per day for 5 consecutive days). The heart function classification of New York Heart Association (NYHA), 6-min walking distance, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), scores for Chinese medical symptoms were observed before and after treatment, and safety assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 235 patients actually entered full analysis set (FAS), including 120 cases in the control group and 115 cases in the treatment group. The total effective rate of heart function, 6-min walking distance and increased post-pre-treatment distance in the experimental group were superior to those of the control group with statistical difference (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, increased value of post-pre-treatment LVEF, the total effective rate of Chinese medical syndrome efficacy, scores for Chinese medical symptoms and decreased post-pre-treatment value of Chinese medical syndrome scores were obviously improved (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>XI could improve the heart function of CHF patients, improve Chinese medical symptoms, elevate exercise tolerance, and improve LVEF. It had no obvious toxic and side effects.</p>

Alkaloids from roots of Cocculus orbiculatus var. mollis / 中草药

Objective: To study the alkaloid compounds in the roots of Cocculus orbiculatus var. mollis. Methods: The compounds were isolated by silica gel chromatography, and their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. Results: A novel cocsolines-type bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid named orbiculatinine (1), along with three known compounds (+) 1, 2- dehydroapateline (2), trilobine (3), and isotrilobine (4), were isolated. Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named orbiculatinine. Compounds 2-4 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Assessment of a five-color flow cytometric assay for verifying automated white blood cell differentials / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>White blood cell (WBC) counts and differentials performed using an automated cell counter typically require manual microscopic review. However, this last step is time consuming and requires experienced personnel. We evaluated the clinical efficiency of using flow cytometry (FCM) employing a six-antibody/five-color reagent for verifying automated WBC differentials.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 56 apparently healthy samples were assessed using a five-color flow cytometer to verify the normal reference ranges of WBC differentials. WBC differentials of 622 samples were also determined using both a cell counter and FCM. These results were then confirmed using manual microscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The probabilities for all of the parameters of WBC differentials exceeded the corresponding normal reference ranges by no more than 7.5%. The resulting WBC differentials were well correlated between FCM and the cell counter (r > 0.88, P < 0.001), except in the case of basophils. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils were well correlated between FCM and standard microscopic cytology assessment (r > 0.80, P < 0.001). The sensitivities of FCM for identification of immature granulocytes and blast cells (72.03% and 22.22%, respectively) were higher than those of the cell counter method (44.92% and 11.11%, respectively). The specificities of FCM were all above 85%, substantially better than those of the cell counter method.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These five-color FCM assays could be applied to accurately verify abnormal results of automated assessment of WBC differentials.</p>

Effect of probiotics on respiratory tract pathogen colonization in neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of mouth-fed probiotics on pathogenic bacteria colonization of the oropharynx and lower respiratory tract in neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized control method was employed to divide the neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation into probiotics (n=82) and control groups (n=83). The control group received routine treatment. The probiotics group was administered with oral probiotics in addition to routine treatment. The number of pathogenic bacteria colonized on the oropharynx and lower respiratory tract, and the number of the bacterial strain of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the two groups were examined. The timing of the bacteria colonization and VAP occurrence were also examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The probiotics group presented a lower bacterial strain colonization rate of the oropharynx pathogenic bacteria than the control group (35% vs 51%; P<0.05). The colonization time of pathogenic bacteria of the oropharynx and lower respiratory tract, and the time of VAP occurrence lagged behind in the probiotics group compared with that the control group (P<0.05). No adverse reaction caused by probiotics was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Probiotics administration is effective in decreasing pathogenic bacteria colonization on the oropharynx, in postponing the pathogenic bacteria colonization on the oropharynx and lower respiratory tract and in delaying the occurrence of VAP in neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation.</p>

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 counteracts glucolipotoxicity in the pancreatic β-cell line INS-1 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Glucolipotoxicity might play an important role in the β cell decompensation stage during the development of obesity-associated type 2 diabetes. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and regulates proliferation and apoptosis of a variety of cell types, including pancreatic β-cells. In the present study, we investigated whether TIMP-1 counteracts glucolipotoxicity in the pancreatic β-cell line INS-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>INS-1 cells were incubated in normal or high glucose, with or without palmitate (0.4 mmol/L), in the presence of TIMP-1 or MMP inhibitor GM60001. In some experiments, cells were pretreated with phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase inhibitor, LY294002 or wortmannin. The amount of dead INS-1 cells was determined by HO342 and propidium iodide staining. Akt phosphorylation was evaluated by Western blotting analysis to investigate a possible mechanism of TIMP-1's action.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TIMP-1 protected INS-1 cells from glucolipotoxicity independent of MMP inhibition. TIMP-1 stimulated Akt phosphorylation. Inhibition of the PI-3 kinase pathway abolished the survival effect of TIMP-1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TIMP-1 may counteract glucolipotoxicity induced β-cell death via a PI-3 kinase pathway.</p>

Effect of Epimedium extract on osteoprotegerin and RANKL mRNA expressions in glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of glucocorticoid on the expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) mRNAs in rat femoral head and the antagonistic effect of Epimedium, and explore the mechanism of Epimedium in preventing glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight adult SD rats were randomized into glucocorticoid group, Epimedium group and control group. In the former two groups, the rats received intramuscular injection of 12.5 mg prednisolone twice a week, and in Epimedium group, additional 1 ml/100 g aqueous Epimedium extract (equivalent to 0.1 g/ml of the crude drug) was administered intragastrically once daily. The control group received only intramuscular saline injection. After 4 weeks of treatment, osteonecrosis of the left femoral head was detected by HE staining, and the right femoral head was sampled for detection of OPG and RANKL mRNA expressions using real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In glucocorticoid, Epimedium and control groups, the mortality rate of the rats was 12.5% (2/16), 6.25% (1/16), 0 (0/16), and femoral head necrosis occurred at a rate of 71.43% (10/14), 26.67% (4/15), and 0 (0/16), respectively. In glucocorticoid group, the expression level of OPG mRNA was significantly lower, RANKL expression significantly higher, and OPG/RANKL ratio significantly lower than those in Epimedium and control groups (P<0.05). OPG, RANKL and their ratios showed no significant differences between Epimedium group and the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Epimedium can prevent glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis probably by antagonizing glucocorticiod-induced abnormal expressions of OPG and RANKL mRNA.</p>

Alendronate affects osteoprotegerin/receptor of activator of nuclear factor κB-ligand expression in human marrow stroma cells in vitro / 西安交通大学学报·英文版

Objective: To evaluate the effect of alendronate on osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor of activator of nuclear factor κB-ligand (RANKL) expression in human marrow stroma cells (hMSCs) in vitro. Methods: hMSCs were isolated from human marrow, cultured in vitro, and randomly divided into two groups: alendronate group, hMSCs culture fluid containing 1 × 10-7 mol/ L alendronate; control group, no special treatment but culturing hMSCs in DMEM. Two weeks after treatment, the expressions of OPG and RANKL were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: hMSCs became uniform spindle-shaped fibroblasts. As cells proliferated, they formed colonies and showed whirlpool arrangement. After one week's treatment, hMSCs in alendronate group had reduced processes and gradually showed disc shape, which did not happen in control group but kept fibroblast shape and just increased in density. In RT-PCR, the ratio of OPG/RANKL in alendronate group and control group was 8.77±1.16 and 4.58±1.27, respectively. In Western blot, the ratio of OPG/RANKL in alendronate group and control group was 2.58±0.47 and 1.52±0.32, respectively. The ratio of OPG/RANKL was higher in alendronate group than in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Alendronate enhances OPG expression and inhibits RANKL expression of hMSCs in vitro.

Establishment of the rabbit VX2 tumor as a model for pyriform sinus carcinoma and observation of its biological features / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the rabbit VX2 tumor as a model for pyriform sinus carcinoma and to observe its biological features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VX2 tumor was implanted into the pyriform sinus of 15 rabbits by direct laryngoscope. Fifteen rabbits were randomized into 3 groups (average of 5 rabbits per group). Observation of the tumor growth and evaluation of the histopathological characterization were taken on one group each at the of time 14, 21 and 28 days after transplantation respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tumors were found grown in the pyriform sinus of all 15 rabbits with a success implantation rate of 100%. Dysphagia, body weight loss, rhinorrhea and short of breath appeared in the rabbits 28 days after transplantation. The metastasis rates of deep cervical were 100% in all three groups. The metastasis rates of submandibular lymph nodes were 3/5, 4/5 and 5/5 in 14-day, 21-day and 28-day group respectively. The metastasis rates of paratracheal lymph nodes were 0, 4/5 and 5/5 in 14-day, 21-day and 28-day group respectively. There were opposite side lymph node metastasis of deep cervical, submandibular and paratracheal in 4, 3 and 5 rabbits on 14, 21 and 28 days after transplantation respectively. The median diameter for deep cervical, submandibular and paratracheal neck lymph nodes were 1.50, 0.60 and 0.0 cm in 14 days; 1.60, 0.80 and 0.50 cm in 21 days; 1.80, 0.8 and 0.65 cm in 28 days (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The animal model for pyriform sinus carcinoma is established successfully. The metastasis of deep cervical lymph node could be induced from day 14 after VX2 transplantation.</p>

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 mediates up-regulation of angiotensin II-induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression in cultured human senescent fibroblasts / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Angiotensin II (Ang II), a principal effector of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and increased in aging tissues, can stimulate JAK/STAT pathway via the G-protein-coupled Ang II receptor type I (AT1) and induce nuclear translocation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). To further explore the role of Ang II in aging, we examined the effect of Ang II on human replicative senescent diploid fibroblast WI-38 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human senescent WI-38 cells were incubated with Ang II, receptor antagonist PD123319, valsartan, STAT3 sense plasmid, and/or STAT3 antisense plasmids. Methods were applied including electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), Western blot, transfection, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that cultured human senescent WI-38 cells constitutively expressed tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and Ang II induced TIMP-1 protein expression in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Ang II induced STAT-DNA binding activity also in both time- and dose-dependent manners. And supershift assay showed that the sis-inducing factor (SIF) band contained STAT3 proteins. STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides could inhibit both Ang II-induced STAT3-DNA binding activity as well as TIMP-1 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ang II could up-regulate TIMP-1 expression through activating STAT3 signal pathway in human senescent cells, indicating that Ang II-STAT3-TIMP-1 pathway may be involved in the mechanism of sclerosis in aging tissues.</p>

Inhibitory effect on proliferation of KG1a cell line by methyltransferase inhibitors / 中国实验血液学杂志

To explore the possibility of a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia by intervening in the DNA methylation to re-express p15 suppressor gene, methylation inhibitors, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) and cell differentiation agent (CDAII) were used to treat myelogenous leukemia cell line KG1a in which p15 gene expression was suppressed due to DNA hypermethylation. The biological characteristics of KG1a cells untreated or treated with the agents were investigated and analyzed using morphology, methylation specific-PCR (MSP), (3)H-labeled microassay technique, restriction endonuclease reaction, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence methods. The results indicated that both agents showed concentration-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. 5-Aza-CdR and CDAII induced apoptosis and cell differentiation with G(2) and G(0)/G(1) arrest respectively. Furthermore, DNA methyltransferase activity and level of methylation in genomic DNA were decreased and p15 protein was re-expressed partially. It is concluded that it is possible to treat leukemia by intervening in the DNA methylation using methyltransferase inhibitors and it is worth to make a thorough study on mechanism of the new strategy.

The expression of integrin-linked kinase(ILK) in the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial cell and its correlation with senescence / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression and function of integrin-iinked kinase (ILK) in the transdifferentiation process of primary tubular epithelial cell( TEC) and its effect on the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the aging process. Methods Primary TEC was cultured from kidneys of male Wistar rats aged 3 and 24 months. Then the primary TEC was stimulated by TGF-? at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20-40/?g/L for 24 h. The TEC expressions of ?-SMA,ILK and F-actin were detected by immunocytochemistry or indirect immunofluorescence. FN or ILK protein expression levels were tested by Western-blot. DIG-labelled cRNA probe of rat ILK in situ hybridization was obtained by transcription in vitro, with which ILK expression level and the location of TEC were detected. Results ?-SMA expression levels were very low in young or aging rat TEC on the base situation, no significant difference was found between the two groups. However, ILK and F-actin levels in 24 months group were higher than in 3 months group. Along with increasing concentration of TGF-?, ?-SMA, ILK and F-actin levels were increased. The expression of ILK was associated with F-actin expression. FN and ILK expression levels were significantly lower in 3 monthsrats TEC than in 24 monthsrats, P