Laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure improves low-back pain and quality of life in nurses: A randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Low-back pain (LBP) in nurses is a major health concern that affects their quality of life and ability to work, with consequences for their economic status.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the effect of low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference and quality of life in nurses with LBP.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS@#This randomized controlled trial recruited a convenience sample of hospital-based nurses from one teaching hospital in Taiwan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the LAA group (n = 38) receiving low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure for 4 weeks, and the control group (n = 38) receiving only sham laser acupuncture treatment without laser energy output.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Data were collected for the primary pain outcome using the Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory, while the secondary outcome, quality of life, was evaluated using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Both primary and secondary outcomes were scored before the intervention, and after 2-week and 4-week intervention. The rate of LBP recurrence was evaluated at the 4th week and 8th week after the end of intervention.@*RESULTS@#After controlling for prior pain, the result of linear mixed model analysis showed trends in significant between-group differences in the level of current pain occurring in week 4 (P < 0.001), worst pain in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001), least pain in week 2 (P = 0.032) and week 4 (P < 0.001), pain interference in week 2 (P = 0.009) and week 4 (P < 0.001), and in the life dysfunction in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001). Recurrence rates of LBP at the 4th and 8th weeks after the end of intervention were 0% and 36.89% in the LAA group, and 69.44% and 36.11% in the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#This study shows that 4-week LAA intervention reduced pain intensity and pain interference, and improved quality of life for hospital-based nurses with LBP. These effects were maintained continuously for at least 4 weeks after the intervention. The nonpharmacological intervention, LAA, may be another efficacious, feasible, noninvasive, analgesic intervention for LBP.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number NCT04423445).

Pharmacological research progress of five classical prescriptions in treatment of chronic heart failure / 中国中药杂志

Chronic heart failure(CHF) is a comprehensive clinical syndrome caused by multiple factors that result in structural and/or functional abnormalities of the heart, leading to impaired ventricular contraction and/or relaxation functions. This medical condition represents the final stage of various cardiovascular diseases. In the treatment of CHF, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of using traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to control oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, thereby delaying ventricular remodeling and reducing myocardial fibrosis. In this study, common TCM syndromes in the diagnosis and treatment of CHF in recent years were reviewed and summarized. Five common treatment methods including benefiting Qi and activating blood circulation, enhancing Qi and nourishing Yin, warming Yang for diuresis, eliminating phlegm and dampness, rescuing from collapse by restoring Yang, and corresponding classic prescriptions in prevention and treatment of CHF were concluded under the guidance of TCM syndrome differentiation thinking. Meanwhile, research progress on the modern pharmacological effects of these classic prescriptions was systematically discussed, so as to establish a unique treatment system for CHF by classic prescriptions under the guidance of TCM syndrome differentiation theory and provide innovative diagnosis and treatment strategies for clinical CHF.

Correlation analysis between the deep-superficial flow-density ratio and treatment response of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the correlation analysis between the deep-superficial flow-density ratio (DSFR) and treatment response of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods:Forty-eight patients (48 eyes) with macular edema secondary to BRVO from December 2018 to December 2019 in the Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Hospital were enrolled in this study. There were 29 males (29 eyes) and 19 females (19 eyes), with the mean age of 58.77±10.88 years. All eyes were treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizuma once a month for 3 months, and then treated as needed. According to the central retinal thickness (CRT) 12 months after treatment, the patients were divided into good response group (CRT≤250 μm) and refractory group (CRT> 250 μm). The flow density in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) of all subjects was measured by optical coherence tomography angiography. The flow density of DCP and SCP measured at 3 follow-up times was selected and DSFR was calculated. The DSFR was recorded by the Study for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) -grid and Nine-grid. The flow density of DCP, SCP and DSFR were compared between the two groups by paired t test. At 3 months post-treatment, the efficacy of DSFR in ME treatment response was evaluated according to area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to analyze the factors affecting the response to ME treatment. Results:At 12 months after treatment, there were 27 eyes in good response group and 21 eyes in refractory group. There was no statistical significance in the flow density of DCP ( t=1.804, 1.064, 0.660) and SCP ( t=0.581, 0.641, 0.167) and DSFR ( t=0.393、-0.553、0.474) in all area of response group and refractory group using ETDRS-GRID recording method ( P>0.05). The SCP, DCP and DSFR of the most severe non-perfusion area were (27.10±5.70) %, (28.33±8.95) %, 1.35±0.54 and (27.54±6.70) %, (29.11±0.42) %, 1.01±0.40 in the response group and refractory group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the flow density of DCP and SCP between the two groups ( t=-0.237,-0.340; P>0.05). The difference of DSFR between two groups was statistically significant ( t=2.288, P=0.024). Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that DSFR in the most severe non-perfusion area was associated with ME response (odds ratio=0.212, 0.085; P=0.027, 0.024). The AUC was used to evaluate the efficacy of DSFR in ME treatment response, the results showed that the AUC was 0.800, P=0.001, Youden index was 1.348, sensitivity was 67.7%, and specificity was 86.7%. Conclusions:DSFR reduction is more common in BRVO secondary to ME patients. DSFR correlates with ME treatment response.

Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 as a Potential Biomarker in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma

Background/Aims@#Esophagogastric junction adenocarci-noma (EJA) is a malignant tumor associated with high mor-bidity and has attracted increasing attention due to a rising incidence and low survival rate. Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but noninvasive and effective tests are lacking, resulting in diagnoses at advanced stages.This study explored the diagnostic value of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in EJA. @*Methods@#A total of 120 EJA patients and 88 normal controls were recruited, and their serum levels of IGFBP7 were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating character-istic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value, and Pearson chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between IGFBP7 and clinical parameters. Ka-plan-Meier survival analysis was carried out to assess the ef-fect of IGFBP7 on overall survival (OS). @*Results@#The levels of IGFBP7 were higher in both early- and late-stage EJA patients than in normal controls (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for EJA patients was 0.794 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733 to 0.854), with a cutoff value of 2.716 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 63.3% (95% CI, 54.0% to 71.8%) and a specific-ity of 90.9% (95% CI, 82.4% to 95.7%). For the diagnosis of early-stage EJA, the same cutoff value and specificity were obtained, but the sensitivity of IGFBP7 was 54.3% (95% CI, 36.9% to 70.8%). Patients with low IGFBP7 protein expres-sion had lower OS than those with high expression (p=0.034).The multivariate analysis showed that IGFBP7 is an inde-pendent prognostic factor for EJA (p=0.011). @*Conclusions@#Serum IGFBP7 acts as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for EJA.

Application of affinity chromatography and its mathematical model in study of active components of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Affinity chromatography is characterized by its high specificity,high recovery rate and sensitivity,and it has been widely used in the selection of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,separation and enrichment of low molecular weight sugars and protein peptides,research on mechanism of action and discovery of targets.This paper reviewed the application of affinity chromatography and its adsorption isotherm model,kinetic model and adsorption thermodynamic mechanism in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.This summarizes and provides thinking for comprehensive applications of affinity chromatography theory in the field of active ingredient screening,purification and medicine interaction.

Drug eruption by antihistamine mistaken for chronic urticaria in a child / 소아과

Although rare, antihistamines can cause adverse effects, including drug-induced eruptions or anaphylaxis. A 4-year-old child visited the pediatric department of a hospital for skin eruptions after administration of antihistamines, (e.g., ucerax [hydroxyzine] or leptizine [levocetirizine]), for cholinergic rashes; he did not have pruritus. Skin prick, intradermal, and drug provocation tests were performed to determine the relationship between the antihistamines and eruptions. Levocetirizine induced wheals in the skin prick test and a rash in the oral drug provocation test. In contrast, ketotifen induced no reaction in the skin prick test but showed a positive reaction in the oral provocation test. Our case report highlights that children can experience the same types of adverse reactions as seen in adults, and cross-reactivity between various antihistamines can occur.

Comparison of clinical severity between single- and coinfections of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus with common respiratory viruses

PURPOSE: Multiple virus infections may affect clinical severity. We investigated the effect of coinfection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus with other respiratory viruses on clinical severity. METHODS: Data from 634 samples of a single tertiary hospital between September 2014 and April 2015 were analyzed for clinical characteristics (fever duration and O2 need, steroid use, and ICU care) between single infection and coinfection of RSV (n=290) and influenza virus (n=74) with 16 common respiratory viruses from hospitalized children. RESULTS: The RSV coinfection group (n=109) (3.1±2.7 days) showed significantly longer fever duration than the RSV single infection group (n=181) (2.6±2.6 days) (P=0.04), while there was no difference in O2 need, steroid use or ICU care in the 2 groups. The influenza coinfection group (n=38) showed significantly higher O2 need than the influenza single infection group (n=36) (21.1% vs. 5.6%, P=0.05), while there was no difference in fever duration between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that RSV and Influenza coinfections can increase clinical severity and that the severity may be influenced by the nature of coinfecting viruses.

Risk assessment of metabolic syndrome in adolescents using the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the distributions of the triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-C ratio, and to explore their usefulness as markers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adolescents. METHODS: We obtained data for 2,721 adolescents (1,436 boys and 1,285 girls) aged 10–18 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2008 to 2010. International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to define MetS. RESULTS: There were no significant gender-related differences in TG/HDL-C or TC/HDL-C ratios. These lipid ratios showed significant associations with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and waist circumference. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve to identify MetS were 0.947 for TG/HDL-C and 0.924 for TC/HDL-C, which were higher than that of HOMA-IR (0.822). Optimal cutoff values (sensitivity, specificity) of TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios for MetS prediction were 3.3 (85.7%, 89.9%), and 3.8 (92.9%, 82.8%), respectively. Odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for MetS in adolescents with TC/HDL-C ratio above the cutoff value was 14.8 (2.8–77.4), while that for TG/HDL-C ratio about the cutoff value was 30.6 (6.0–157.6). In adolescents who had both lipid ratios above the cutoff values, the OR (95% CI) for MetS was 36.2 (7.2–186.2). CONCLUSION: TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios are useful markers of metabolic syndrome with high predictive value in Korean adolescents.

Clinical results of autologous reconstruction with DIEP flap following nipple-sparing mastectomy / 中国实用外科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical results of autologous reconstruction with DIEP flap following nipplesparing mastectomy and summarize experience.METHODS: From January 2016 to October 2018,DIEP flaps were utilized in 81 surgical cases of immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University.Success rate,safety,complications and patient satisfaction of nipple-sparing mastectomy(NSM) group(38 cases) and non-NSM(NNSM) group(43 cases) were compared.RESULTS: All DIEP flaps in 81 cases were successful with a flap survival rate of 100%.No skin necrosis,infection,or seroma occurred.There were 1 case(2.6%) of vascular complication and 2 cases(5.3%)of partial fat necrosis in NSM group,and 2 cases(4.7%) of vascular complication and 2 cases(4.7%) of partial fat necrosis in non-NSM group.No statistically significant difference was found between groups.Three cases of partial NAC ischemia(7.9%) happened in NSM group with no complete necrosis.There was a greater satisfaction in NSM group(81.6%) than non-NSM group(72.1%) on the overall impression of breast reconstruction in 6 months after surgeries,but the difference was not significant(P=0.315).Over a median follow-up period of 22 months,no local recurrence or distant metastasis were observed.CONCLUSION: Autologous reconstruction with DIEP flap following nipple-sparing mastectomy is safe and reliable for carefully selected patients when operations are executed with proficient operative skills.Complications are similar in the approach compared with DIEP flap immediate breast reconstruction following non-NSM.The technique has a controllable rate of NAC necrosis and offers the advantage of cosmetic effect.

Responsibility and status of breast surgeons in breast reconstruction / 中国实用外科杂志

Mastectomy is still the main surgery method to treat breast cancer in China.Breast surgeons should be more devoted to breast reconstruction.Although different reconstruction methods should comprehensively consider the patient's wishes and the doctor's technical ability and other factors,it is necessary for breast surgeons to adhere to the principle of tumor safety,reasonably design the incision of breast surgery,master the technology of preserving the nipple areola complex,and separate the thickness and scope of the flap.Under the mode of multidisciplinary cooperation,breast surgeons should actively participate in the training,keep learning and practicing,make effort to improve the overall treatment level of breast cancer patients and promote the standardized process of breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in China.

Effects of RhoA on the adherens junction of murine ameloblasts / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the regulation mechanism of RhoA signaling pathway during the enamel formation by using the EGFP-RhoADominant Negative (EGFP-RhoADN) transgenic mice model, from the aspect of adherens junctions, and to provide a theory basis for mechanism of enamel development defects.@*METHODS@#The enamel thickness of mandibular first molars of EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice and wild type (WT) mice were observed by scanning electronic microscopy at 20 kV, and the enamel thickness of the distal face of the central cusp was measured at 10 locations via analysis by ImageJ (Rasband, 1997-2009). The enamel organs from mandibular first molars from postnatal-4-day (P4) EGFP-RhoADN mice and wild type mice were isolated, and the total RNA and protein were extracted from the epithelium of the enamel organs. The expression level of the adherens junctions components in ameloblasts layer of the postnatal-4-day EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice and wild type mice mandibular first molars were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot assay.@*RESULTS@#The EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice had decreased enamel thickness in their bilateral mandibular first molars versus those of control group (n=20), and enamel thickness was (84.60±0.20) μm vs. (106.24±0.24) μm, P<0.05. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-E-catenin and pan-cadherin in ameloblasts layer of postnatal-4-day EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice molars were down-regulated, and the protein level of β-catenin in ameloblasts layer of P4 EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice molars was up-regulated. The mRNA level of E-cadherin in ameloblasts layer of P4 EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice molars was down-regulated versus that of WT mice, and the gene expression of E-cadherin was 0.93±0.01 vs. 1.00±0.02, P<0.05. The mRNA level of β-catenin in ameloblasts layer of P4 EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice molars was up-regulated versus that of WT mice, and the gene expression of β-catenin was 1.23±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.05, P<0.05.@*CONCLUSION@#In the mandibular first molars of EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice, the enamel formation was disrupted and the adherens junctions of EGFP-RhoADN transgenic mice ameloblasts were implicated during amelogenesis. RhoA signaling pathway may play a critical role in enamel development by altering the adherens junctions in ameloblasts.

Correlation of respiratory syncytial virus infection with climate parameters and air pollution levels in Korean children during 2005–2012

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and children. We investigated the association of meteorological conditions and air pollution with the prevalence of RSV infection. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 9,113 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from children under 3 years of age who were admitted to the hospital with acute LRTI were tested for RSV antigens using a direct immunofluorescence kit. Meteorological data (mean temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and relative humidity) and air pollutant levels including PM₁₀ (particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 µm in diameter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) in Seoul during the study period were collected from the national monitoring system. The correlations of the monthly incidence of RSV infection with climate factors and air pollutant levels were analyzed. RESULTS: RSV infection mainly occurred between October and February, and showed the peak in November. The prevalence of RSV infection had a moderate negative correlation with mean temperature (r=−0.60, P < 0.001), a weak negative correlation with relative humidity (r=−0.26, P=0.01), and precipitation (r=−0.34, P=0.001). Regarding air pollutants, RSV activity moderately correlated with NO₂ (r=0.40, P < 0.001), SO₂ (r=0.41, P < 0.001), and CO (r=0.58, P < 0.001). In the RSV peak season in Korea (between October and February), RSV epidemics showed a weak positive correlation with relative humidity (r=0.35, P=0.03) and precipitation (r=0.38, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors and air pollutant levels may be associated with RSV activity. Therefore, further nationwide large-scaled intensive evaluations to prove factors affecting RSV activity are warranted.

Association of genetic variants of hTERT with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To explore the correlation between several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci on the gene of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)(including rs2736100、rs2853676) and the susceptibility to Hepatocellular carcinoma in Qingdao area.Methods:This case-control study included 165 diagnosed Hepatocellular carcinoma,195 with chronic hepatitis B and 402 Healthy people.Polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to analyze the genotype of the loci on the gene of hTERT.Results:The frequency of TT genotype on rs2736100 were higher in the Hepatocellular carcinoma group compared to the control group、chronic hepatitis B and no HCC people(P＜0.05).The additive odds ratio of TT genotype for the risk of Hepatocellular carcinoma was 2.13、2.17 and 2.14.The frequency of AA genotype on rs2853676 were higher in the Hepatocellular carcinoma group compared to the control group、chronic hepatitis B and no HCC people (P＜0.05).The additive odds ratio ofTT genotype for the risk of Hepatocellular carcinoma was 3.42、2.39 and 3.02.Conclusion:There was a relationship between hTERT rs2736100 and rs2853676 polymorphism and susceptibility to Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Antibacterial mechanism and application of gold nanoparticles / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Multi-drug resistance is a major clinical challenge today. The good antibacterial effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on their unique physical and chemical properties make such systems ideal for application as antibacterial drug carriers or self-modified therapeutic agents both in vitro and in vivo. AuNPs also have good clinical application prospects for their broad antibacterial spectrum, various antibacterial mechanisms and good biocompatibility. However, their structural stability in vivo, antibacterial mechanism, long-term safety and cytotoxicity of the surface modification have yet to be further explored and improved through subsequent studies.

Comparison between Patients with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Neonates Concomitant with Parenchymal Lung Disease and Idiopathic Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Neonates

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics between neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of neonates (PPHN) with parenchymal lung disease (PLD) and those with idiopathic PPHN. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 67 neonates with gestational ages not lesser than 34⁺⁰ weeks who were born at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between June 1, 2005 and December 31, 2016. We excluded 10 neonates who presented with congenital anomalies (n=3), dextrocardia (n=1), triple X syndrome (n=1), death before treatment (n=1), neonatal asphyxia (n=2), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n=2). Neonates were categorized into 2 groups—PPHN with PLD (PLD group, those diagnosed with PLD such as respiratory distress syndrome or meconium aspiration syndrome, n=36) and idiopathic PPHN (idiopathic group, n=21). We compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and laboratory findings between the groups. RESULTS: The PLD group neonates showed a greater requirement for positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room, higher frequency of meconium staining of amniotic fluid, and greater need for surfactant application than those belonging to the idiopathic group. In contrast, epinephrine use was more common in the idiopathic PPHN group than in the PLD group. The 1-minute Apgar score and pH observed on initial capillary blood gas analysis were lower in the PLD than in the idiopathic group. Severity scores were higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group 4–7 days after birth. CONCLUSION: In our study, an overall simplified severity score in the first week after birth was higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group. These results were particularly statistically significant over postnatal days 4–7.

Antiemetic activity of effective extract and bioactive compounds in ginger / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the antiemetic effect of the active extract (ginger ether extract, GEE) and its bioactive compounds in ginger, the pica vomiting model in rats and the gastric emptying model in mice were used to observe the antiemetic effect of GEE in cisplatin-induced pica and gastric emptying, and the main components in GEE were detected by RP-HPLC; in vitro, the antagonist effect of GEE and the four components in it were explored by the contraction of guinea-pig ileum induced by SR57227A and carbachol. The results showed that the amount of Kaolin ingested by rats were declined significantly in all the three groups of GEE (25,50,100 mg•kg⁻¹) (P<0.01), while cisplatin-induced gastric emptying in mice was also suppressed in all the three groups (P<0.01), and 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol,10-gingerol and 6-shogaol were found mainly in GEE by RP-HPLC; the maximum contraction of isolated guinea-pig ileum could be reduced by addition of GEE (2.3, 4.6, 11.5 mg•L⁻¹), 6-gingerol,8-gingerol,10-gingerol or 6-shogaol (1, 2, 5 μmol•L⁻¹) when the concentration of SR5727A was 1×10⁻⁵ mol•L⁻¹ and that of carbachol was 1×10⁻⁴ mol•L⁻¹ (P<0.05, P<0.01). In conclusion, 5-HT3 and M3 receptors could be antagonized by GEE and its bioactive compounds 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol and 6-shogaol, which may be correlated with the antiemetic mechanism of ginger maybe related to it.

Effect of dl-praeruptorin A on desmin and vimentin content in rat ischemia/reperfusion myocardiocytes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intermediate filament (IF) proteins have been thought to play a role in nuclear centration, organelle movement and maintenance of cell shape. dl-praeruptorin A (Pd-Ia), a novel Ca2+-influx blocker and K+-channel opener isolated from Chinese traditional herbal medicine Qian-Hu, has been demonstrated to inhibit expression of apoptosis related proteins and reduce the level of proinflammatory factors in ischemia/reperfusion myocardiocytes. Morphologically, whether Pd-Ia effects myocardiocyte IFs remains unclear. The purpose of this study was, for the first time, to evaluate the in vivo effects of Pd-Ia on IF desmin and vimentin content in order to further explore its cardioprotection against ischemia and elucidate its mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats underwent a 30 minutes coronary occlusion followed by 120 minutes reperfusion. Assessment of desmin and vimentin content of myocardiocytes was performed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and densitometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pretreatment with i.v. infusion of Pd-Ia prior to ischemia significantly increased desmin and vimentin content and alleviated defects caused by the ischemia/reperfusion insult, e.g. with Pd-Ia at a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg, integrated density values of desmin were increased from 61 478 +/- 10 074 to 177 408 +/- 10 395 and 195 784 +/- 20 057, and vimentin from 59 189 +/- 19 853 to 164 781 +/- 19 543 and 185 696 +/- 20 957 (P < 0.01, vs placebo), respectively. The recovery of desmin seemed to be stronger and appeared earlier than that of vimentin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pd-Ia protectively increased IF desmin and vimentin content in ischemia/reperfusion myocardiocytes, which might be partially responsible for its cardioprotection against ischemia.</p>

89SrCl2 in the treatment of cancer patients with bone metastasis and pain / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical value of (89)SrCl(2) (Ke xing Inc, Shanghai) as a palliative therapy modality for cancer patients with bone metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 504 cancer patients with painful limitation of movement due to bony metastasis, a dose of 1.48-2.22 MBq/kg (40-60 uCi/kg) iv infusion of (89)SrCl(2) was given.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 97 patients (19.2%) there was no improvement in pain and life quality, 298 patients (59.1%) showed mild to moderate improvement (moderately effective), 109 patients (21.6%) became free of pain and were subsequently fully ambulatory (markedly effective). The pain relief appeared from D1-D46 after (89)SrCl(2) administration, most frequently from D5-D14. The palliative effect could last for about 56 days to 13 months. Repeated bone scans of some patients showed that the metastatic foci in the bone became smaller or even disappeared gradually after the administration of (89)SrCl(2). Approximately 55% of patients experienced grade I approximately III bone marrow depression attributable to (89)SrCl(2), which would return to the pre-treatment level within 3 approximately 9 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(89)SrCl(2) is effective and safe for the relief of bone pain and improvement of quality of life in cancer patients with painful bony metastasis.</p>