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The objective of this study was to analyze the effects on cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells after intervention with Agrimonia pilosa (AP) and investigate Agrimonia pilosa anti-tumor activity in vitro. Meanwhile, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics technology was used to analyze the changes of cellular metabolites and metabolic pathways. The results of this study will provide a theoretical and experimental basis for investigating the mechanism of the effect of Agrimonia pilosa on non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. The results showed that the cell nucleus of A549 cells crumpled and apoptosis occurred with the increase of drug concentration. The survival rate of the cells decreased, and the inhibition rate reached 21.5% and 91.74% under the low and high dose conditions, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content increased (P < 0.05). Metabolomics results showed significant differences in metabolism between groups, thirty-three distinct metabolites including LysoPC(24:0/0:0), LysoPC(17:0/0:0) and PC(O-40:5) were deduced. The pathway enrichment showed that the Agrimonia pilosa plays an anti-tumor role mainly by regulating the metabolism of glycerophosphate and purine in A549 cells, in which the effect on glycerophosphate metabolism pathway was most significant. The results of combined pharmacodynamics suggested that Agrimonia pilosa might induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of A549 cells by regulating LysoPC(24:0/0:0), LysoPC(17:0/0:0) and PC(O-40:5) metabolites in A549 cells.
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Oral mucositis (OM) is a common complication during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. When OM occurs, with the destruction of oral mucosal barrier function, the formation of oral bacterial environment is accelerated, which has a negative impact on the life quality and clinical outcomes of patients. OM can be prevented by keeping the oral cavity clean, using the mouthwash properly, and limiting the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to oral tissues. This review describes the research progress on the prevention and local intervention of OM in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in order to provide ideas for the selection of clinical intervention and management strategies on OM, and to provide references for exploring effective management methods for OM.
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OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of Jingjin (muscle region) needling in the treatment of Hunt facial paralysis (HFP). METHODS: A total of 80 HFP patients were randomly divided into acupuncture and medication groups (n＝40 cases/group). Jingjin needling was applied to Yangbai(GB14) to Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzhu (BL2), Sizhukong (TE23，penetrative needling), Dicang (ST4) to Jiache (ST6, penetrative needling), Yingxiang(LI20) and Xiaguan(ST7), Hegu(LI4), Yifeng (TE17), Yuyao (EX-HN 4), and Shenmai (BL62), with the needles retained for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once daily, with 10 consecutive days being a therapeutic course, and 3 courses altogether. Patients of the medication group received oral administration of Prednisone acetate (12 days), Acyclovir (7 days), intramuscular injection of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B1(10 days), then, oral administration of Vitamin B1, successively. The therapeutic effect was assessed by using House-Brackman (H-B) facial function grading system (grade I to VI), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sign and symptom score, and facial disability index (FDI) scale including FDI physical function (FDIP, food and water swallowing, speaking-pronouncing, dryness or tearing, and mouth-opening) and FDI social function (FDIS, self-rating anxiety/depression scales), separately. RESULTS: After the treatment, the TCM symptom and sign scores for depth of nasolabial groove, nose shrugging, lower lip asymmetry, food retention and post-auricular pain were significantly lower in the medication group (P<0.05)．After the treatment, the TCM symptom and sign scores for frontal muscle movement, eyelid opening and closing, depth of nasolabial groove, nose shrugging, lower lip asymmetry, cheek blowing, food retention, latissimus cervicalis contraction, taste disorder, hearing hypersensitivity, tears and discomfort and post-auricular pain were significantly lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.05)．Comparison between two groups showed that the TCM symptom and sign scores for frontal muscle movement, eyelid opening and closing, depth of nasolabial groove, nose shrugging, lower lip asymmetry, cheek blowing, food retention, latissimus cervicalis contraction, taste disorder, hearing hypersensitivity, tears and discomfort and post-auricular pain were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the medication group(P<0.05)．The scores of FDIP and FDIS were significantly increased in both groups (P<0.01) and notably higher in the acupuncture group than in the medication group (P<0.01) after the treatment. The total effective rate of acupuncture group was 97.5% (39/40), and that of medication group was 72.5% (29/40). The therapeutic effect of the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of the medication group (P<0.01)．. CONCLUSION: Jingjin needling has a good therapeutic effect in improving facial nerve function, psychosomatic function and clinical signs and symptoms in HFP patients, evidently being better than medication.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.
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China is the cradle of Chinese herb medicines,with rich plant resources. However, traditional processing methods have many disadvantages, such as high comsumption of organic solvent, long extraction time and high loss of effective constituents. For the purpose of rational use of Chinese herb medicines and accurate analysis on their constituents,the sample pre-treatment method with magnetic nanoparticles as the carrier brought new opportunities in recent years. after consulting literatures,the essay summarizes traditional extraction methods of Chinese herb medicines, characteristics of magnetic materials and their application in the analysis on Chinese herb medicines.
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Magnetics , Methods , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Plants, Medicinal , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital abnormality. Operative repair is always suggested in cases of significant functional obstruction. Laparoscopic procedures have been employed as the minimally invasive therapeutic option for retrocaval ureter. However, the laparoscopic techniques for retrocaval ureter might be technically challenging to some surgeons. The aim of this article was to present our experience and surgical techniques of pure transperitoneal laparoscopic pyelopyelostomy and ureteroureterostomy in nine patients with retrocaval ureter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of nine patients of retrocaval ureter underwent pure laparoscopic pyelopyelostomy or ureteroureterostomy. The operation was performed with the patients placed in the 70-degree lateral decubitus position via a three port transperitoneal approach with two 10-mm and one 5-mm ports. The distal part of the dilated renal pelvis was transected at the ureteropelvic junction and the ureter was relocated anterior to the inferior vena cava. The tension-free pyeloureteral or ureteroureteral anastomosis was completed with the intracorporal freehand suturing and in situ knot-tying techniques combined with interrupted and continuous fashion. A double J ureteral stent was inserted in an antegrade manner during laparoscopy. Intravenous urography or computerized tomography and renal ultrasonography were performed after 3 months postoperatively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All operations were completed laparoscopically, and no open conversion was required. The mean operative time was 135 minutes (range, 70 - 250 minutes), with minimal blood loss (less than 60 ml). No intra-operative complications or significant bleeding occurred. All patients presented mild postoperative pain and quick convalescence. The symptoms disappeared and hydronephrosis decreased substantially after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pure transperitoneal laparoscopic correction for retrocaval ureter was associated with an excellent outcome, minimal invasiveness and short hospital stay. It is technically feasible and reliable for retrocaval ureter treatment. Laparoscopic surgery could be the standard treatment for retrocaval ureter.</p>
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Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Laparoscopy , Methods , Treatment Outcome , Ureter , General Surgery , Ureteral Obstruction , General SurgeryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vectors of RNA for specific silencing of heparanase (HPA) gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genomic sequence of HPA gene was retrieved from GenBank and the cDNA encoding shRNA for HPA gene silencing was designed. Five specific interference sequences and a random negative control sequence were inserted into the vector pGPU6/GFP/Neo. After verification by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis, the recombinant vectors were transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells via lipofectamine. Fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression of HPA gene expressions in the transfected cells at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both restriction analysis and sequencing confirmed correct construction of the shRNA vectors. Transfected with the specific siRNA vectors HPSE-1 and HPSE-5 resulted in significantly decreased expression level of HPA protein in MDA-MB-231 cells, while negative control vector produced no significant changes in HPA expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have obtained two shRNA vectors which can significantly down-regulate HPA expressions in MDA-MB-231 cells, which facilitates further investigation of the role HPA may play in the invasiveness and metastasis of human breast cancer.</p>
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Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Genetics , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression , Gene Targeting , Methods , Genetic Vectors , Glucuronidase , Genetics , RNA Interference , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , RNA, Small Interfering , TransfectionABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) is the most common malignant renal tumor. It is highly malignant, does not cause clinical symptoms in its early stages, and cannot be diagnosed using conventional ultrasound. This study was aimed to investigate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) mode and characteristics of the time-intensity curve for RCCC and its pathological basis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two patients with pathologically diagnosed RCCC underwent CEUS examination before surgery. The patients' kidneys were visualized after injection of contrast agents using the Technos MPX DU8. We analyzed the CEUS mode, time-intensity curve, and pathological findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The detection rate of RCCC with conventional ultrasound was about 71%, while the rate using CEUS was 100%. Larger tumors (33 cases) showed non-uniform enhancement with defective filling. CEUS modes were divided into 4 types: type I, "quick in and out" (26.19%, 11/42); type II, "quick in and slow out" (40.48%, 17/42); type III, "Simultaneous in and out" (16.67%, 7/42); and type IV "slow in and out" (16.67%, 7/42). All types had a close correlation to the pathological basis. Time-intensity curve of CEUS consisted of 3 phases, the perfusion phase, regression phase, and lag phase. Cases of types I and III only had a perfusion and regression phase, those of type II and IV had a perfusion phase, regression phase, and lag phase. Quantitative analysis of the time-intensity curve showed that the time-to-peak (TTP) of the lesions was shorter than that of normal renal parenchyma (P < 0.0001), the mean value of the up slope rate of the absolute value of lesions was higher than that of the ipsilateral normal renal parenchyma (P < 0.0001), and that the mean value of descent slope rate of the absolute value of lesions was lower than that of the ipsilateral normal renal parenchyma (P < 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CEUS is useful in detecting small vessels in tumors. Although there are several different CEUS modes, type I "quick in and out" and type II "quick in and slow out" accounted for the most cases that had a close correlation to pathologic angiogenesis. Time-intensity curves also showed some special characteristics. These data could provide valuable information for the clinical diagnosis of RCCC.</p>
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Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Diagnostic Imaging , Contrast Media , Kidney Neoplasms , Diagnostic Imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the transvesical approach to the surgical treatment of seminal vesicle mass.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Transvesical removal of seminal vesicle mass was performed for 5 patients aged 45-69 (mean 51) years. The clinical symptoms included those involving the lower urinary tract such as frequent micturition and urgency in 3 cases (1 accompanied with dyschezia), hematospermia in 1, and lower abdominal and perineal malaise in the other. Two masses were in the left side and the other 3 in the right, ranging from 3 to 10 cm (mean 5 cm) in size, detected by transrectal ultrasonography, CT, MRI or digital rectal examination. The mean course of disease was 9 (2-18) months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 5 patients were treated successfully and uneventfully, with a mean operation time of 75 minutes, a mean blood loss of 140 ml and a mean hospital stay of 10 days. Pathological examinations revealed 2 cases of seminal vesicle cyst with infection, 1 cystadenoma, 1 phyllode tumor and 1 prostatic hyperplasia. A 3-72 months follow-up showed that all the patients were free of symptoms and had normal sexual function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transvesical removal of seminal vesicle mass, with small incisal opening, good visual field and easy operation, is an effective surgical procedure for seminal vesicle disease.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Follow-Up Studies , Genital Diseases, Male , General Surgery , Seminal Vesicles , General Surgery , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Bladder , General SurgeryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and identify the principal composition of ethyl acetate part of Huangqi Danggui decoction by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The analysis conditions are as follows: Zorbax SB C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column; mobile phase (A) water mobile phase (B) acetonitrile, gradient elution; UV detection wavelength 254 nm; ESI source and data acquisition in positive and negative mode.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The accurate molecular weights of 20 compounds were measured and identified in ethyl acetate part of Huangqi Danggui decoction. Furthermore, the types of them are as below: flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, saponins, oligosaccharides, amino acids and phthalides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is a rapid and accurate method that the compositions of compound prescription of traditional Chinese medicine can be identified in terms of the separation of high performance liquid chromatography, the accurate molecular weights measured by MS and other information, which can clarify the potential effective compounds of Huangqi Danggui decoction.</p>