Effects of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills on Ventricular Remodeling and Cardiac Function after Acute Anterior Wall ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (CODE-AAMI): Protocol for a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#Ventricular remodeling after acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AAMI) is an important factor in occurrence of heart failure which additionally results in poor prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of ventricular remodeling needs to be further optimized. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a protective effect on microcirculatory disturbance caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after AAMI on a larger scale.@*METHODS@#This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The total of 268 patients with AAMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the CDDP group (n=134) and control group (n=134) with a follow-up of 48 weeks. Both groups will be treated with standard therapy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the CDDP group administrating 20 tablets of CDDP before pPCI and 10 tablets 3 times daily after pPCI, and the control group treated with a placebo simultaneously. The primary endpoint is 48-week echocardiographic outcomes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). The secondary endpoint includes the change in N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular events (death, cardiac arrest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rehospitalization due to heart failure or angina pectoris, deterioration of cardiac function, and stroke). Investigators and patients are both blinded to the allocated treatment.@*DISCUSSION@#This prospective study will investigate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in patients undergoing pPCI for a first AAMI. Patients in the CDDP group will be compared with those in the control group. If certified to be effective, CDDP treatment in AAMI will probably be advised on a larger scale. (Trial registration No. NCT05000411).

Effects of astragaloside Ⅳ on inflammatory response and percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells in mice with ulcerative colitis / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC) and its effect on the percentage of peripheral blood T helper(Th17) cells. Following the establishment of UC mouse model with 2% sodium dextran sulfate(DSS), mice in the positive control group and low-and high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ groups were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage. Disease activity index(DAI) was calculated, and serum interleukin-17(IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) levels were assayed by ELISA. The pathological changes in colon tissue were observed by HE staining, and Th17/regulatory T cells(Treg) ratio in the peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot was conducted for detecting the relative protein expression levels of forkhead box protein P3(Foxp3) and retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor γT(ROR-γt). The findings demonstrated that in normal mice, the colonic structure was intact. The goblet cells were not reduced and the glands were neatly arranged, with no mucosal erosion, bleeding, or positive cell infiltration. In the model group, the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged, manifested as disordered arrangement or missing of glands, vascular dilatation, congestion, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration. The pathological injury of colon tissue was alleviated to varying degrees in drug treatment groups. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited elevated percentage of Th17 cells, increased IL-17 and TNF-α content, up-regulated relative ROR-γt protein expression, lowered TGF-β, reduced percentage of Treg cells, and down-regulated relative Foxp3 protein expression. The comparison with the model group showed that DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, and relative ROR-γt protein expression in the positive control group, low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group, and high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group were decreased, while TGF-β content, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression were increased. The DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, and relative ROR-γt protein expression in the low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group were higher than those in the positive control group, whereas the content of TGF-β, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression were lower. DAI score, pathological score, percentage of Th17 cells, IL-17 and TNF-α content, relative ROR-γt protein expression in the high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group declined in contrast to those in the low-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group, while the TGF-β content, percentage of Treg cells, and relative Foxp3 protein expression rose. There was no significant difference between the positive control group and the high-dose astragaloside Ⅳ group. Astragaloside Ⅳ is able to inhibit inflammatory response and diminish the percentage of Th17 cells in mice with UC.

Treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax by mechanical pleurodesis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods    A retrospective analysis of 157 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax undergoing VATS from January 2012 to March 2016 in our hospital was done. According to different treatments, patients were divided into two groups: a group A (65 patients receving pleurodesis, 52 males and 13 females with a mean age of 34.77 years ranging from 17 to 73 years) and a group B (92 patients without pleurodesis, 76 males and 16 females with a mean age of 34.66 years ranging from 16 to 72 years). In the group A 29 patients underwent closed thoracic drainage; while in the group B there were 39 patients. Results    The patients were followed up for 3 months to 4 years. The recurrence rate of the group A was lower than that of the group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. For patients receving closed thoracic drainage preoperatively, intraoperative drainage volume at postoperative 24 h in the group A was more than that of the group B, but postoperative hospital stay was less than that of the group B (P<0.05). For patients not receving closed thoracic drainage preoperatively, drainage volume at postoperative 24 h, total drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay in the group A were more than those of the group B (P<0.05). Conclusion    Pleurodesis can not reduce the recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax. Preoperative closed thoracic drainage combined with intraoperative pleurodesis can effectively reduce postoperative hospitalization; therefore pleurodesis is recommended. If preoperative closed thoracic drainage is not adopted, surgery without pleurodesis can effectively reduce thoracic drainage at postoperative 24 h, total drainage volume and hospital stay and the perioperative results are better; therefore mechanical pleurodesis is not recommended.

Correlation between Signs of Living Body in Abdominal and Pelvic Cavities and Syndrome Typing of Chinese Medicine in Colorectal Cancer Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between signs of living body in abdominal and pelvic cavities and syndrome typing of Chinese medicine (CM) in colorectal cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 112 colorectal cancer patients undergoing open abdominal surgery or laporoscopic surgery were syndrome typed as five types, i.e., inner-accumulation of damp and heat, blockage of stasis and toxin, Pi-Shen yang deficiency, blood-qi deficiency, Gan-Shen yin deficiency. Signs of living body in abdominal and pelvic cavities were collected. The correlation between signs of living body in abdominal and pelvic cavities and syndrome typing of CM were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Red colorectal canals or mass were dominated in colorectal cancer patients with inner-accumulation of damp and heat syndrome. Dark purple colorectal canals or mass were dominated in colorectal cancer patients with blockage of stasis and toxin syndrome. Reddish colorectal canals or mass were dominated in colorectal cancer patients with blood-qi deficiency syndrome. Pale colorectal canals or mass were dominated in colorectal cancer patients with Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome. Whitish or red-white stripes were dominated in colorectal cancer patients with Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome. Dropsy colorectal canal was associated with Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome. Intracavitary effusion was often seen in colorectal cancer patients with inner-accumulation of damp and heat syndrome. The effusion was yellowish in less amount. Intracavitary adhesion was often seen in colorectal cancer patients with blockage of stasis and toxin syndrome. There was no correlation between the maximum diameter of mass or each syndrome type of CM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There existed correlation between signs of living body in abdominal and pelvic cavities and syndrome typing of CM, which could be taken as one of references for syndrome typing of colorectal cancer patients.</p>

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Among Primary School Children in Shandong Province, China

Although Toxoplasma gondii infection in primary school children has been investigated in many countries, limited surveys have been available in primary school children in China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in primary school children in Shandong province, China. Sera from 6,000 primary school children were evaluated for T. gondii antibodies with ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 16.0% (961/6,000), of which 14.5% (870/6,000) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, 3.4% (206/6,000) positive for IgM, and 1.9% (115/6,000) were positive for both IgG and IgM. The results of the present investigation indicated a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in primary school children in Shandong province, China. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent and control T. gondii infection in primary school children in this province. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in primary school children in Shandong province, China.

Anatomical study of improved lateral arm free flap / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anatomy and preparation methods of an improved lateral arm free flap (LAFF) for the future clinical application.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two adult upper extremities from cadavers after injected with red latex through common carotid arteries were used. The course, branches, distribution and variations of the blood vessels and nerves of the improved LAFF were observed. The outer diameters of the vessels were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean length of vascular pedicle of the improved LAFF was (14.85 ± 1.28) cm, significantly more than that (5.46 ± 2.60) of traditional LAFF (t = -8.483, P < 0.001). The mean outer diameters of pedicle arteries and veins in the improved LAFF were (2.24 ± 0.66) mm and (2.22 ± 0.52) mm, significantly more than those (1.15 ± 0.21 and 1.26 ± 0.23) in traditional LAFF (t = -8.690, P < 0.001; t = -15.057, P < 0.001), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The improved LAFF has a longer vascular pedicle and larger artery and vein in diameter than conventional LAFF, and is more suitable for the repair of the small and medium-sized defects of the head and neck.</p>

The design of inferior rectus abdominis flap and its study of applied anatomy / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the anatomy of inferior epigastric artery and its correlation with rectus abdominis muscle in order to provide anatomical basis for reconstruction of defect in the oral and maxillofacial region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 Chinese adult specimens fixed by 10% formalin were simulated for the design of inferior rectus abdominis flap, and then observing, taking a photograph during the cadavers were being operated and measuring by image analysis software in the end.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The original external diameters of inferior epigastric artery and length of its trunk were (2.58 +/- 0.60) mm and (85.87 +/- 14.90) mm respectively. Its perforators distribute intensively toward hilum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Whether rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap adapts to reconstruct the defect of oral and maxillofacial region due to invariable traveling of inferior epigastric artery and its wide original external diameters relatively.</p>

Anatomic measurement of wrist scaphoid and its clinical significance / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide anatomical basis for the internal fixation of scaphoid fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The shape and vascular lake of 48 dry scaphoids and 36 wet scaphoids were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data of dry bone group and wet bone group were as follows: the height of scaphoid tubercle were (11.28+/-0.94) mm and (10.35+/-1.54) mm; the thickness of scapoid waist were (12.02+/-1.90) mm and (11.21+/-1.20) mm; the width of scapoid waist were (10.59+/-1.11) mm and (11.34+/-1.47) mm; the minimal thickness of the body of scapoid were (6.51+/-1.22) mm and (8.54+/-1.07) mm; the axis length of scapoid were (25.68+/-2.21) mm and (26.50+/-2.56) mm; the width of epicondyle of scaphoid of distal portion, waist and proximal portion were (6.50+/-1.06) mm, (5.14+/-1.01) mm, (4.42+/-1.16) mm and (6.64+/-1.18) mm, (6.01+/-0.75) mm and (5.71+/-0.78) mm, respestively. The main blood vessels came from the dorsal and the radial of wrist and passed through the whole scaphoid along the crest of scaphoid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The internal fixation of scaphoid can be designed according to the anatomical data without damaging the articular surface and blood supply.</p>

Studies on separation, appraisal and the biological activity of 5-HMF in Cornus officinalis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop the mechanism of improving protection function of prepared Cornus officinalis for liver and kidney and the biological activity of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Pharmacological and chemical studies were used to choose active part. A compound from active part was separated and appraised. To investigate his biological functions, pharmacological experiment was actualized.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A component was separated and identified. His is 5-HMF. 5-HMF can protect human vein epidermal cell against H2O2 and glucose and inprove acute liver injury in mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>5-HMF is the active component in prepared Cornus officinalis and substance basis for protecting liver and kidney.</p>

Reconstruction of Tissue Engineering Skin by Epidermal Cells and Fibroblasts Combined with Modified Polymer of Lactic Acid / 现代生物医学进展

Objective: To investigate the applied feasibility of scaffold with modified PLA (Polymer of lactic acid) in tissue engineering. Methods:First, we adopted salting-in method to prepare porous foam scaffold. Then, we reconstructed tissue engineering skin by epidermal cells and fibroblasts combined with modified PLA. On the 14th day of cell culturing in vitro, we was a control. Results:The arfificial skin is composed of epidermis and dermis and similar to natural skin in appearance. The skin consists of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which are in various proliferation and differentiation stages. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes distribute on the surface of polymer of lactic acid (PLA) and the number of fibroblast and keratinocyte increase. Conclusion:Dialdehyde starches (DAS) not only improve the function of PLA but also have good effects on cells. Moreover, it does not affect the growth and the metabolism of the cells. So it is feasible to use modified scaffold to construct tissue engineering skin.

Reconstruction of Tissue Engineering Skin by Epidermal Cells and Fibroblasts Combined with Modified Polymer of Lactic Acid / 现代生物医学进展

Objective: To investigate the applied feasibility of scaffold with modified PLA (Polymer of lactic acid) in tissue engineering. Methods:First, we adopted salting-in method to prepare porous foam scaffold. Then, we reconstructed tissue engineering skin by epidermal cells and fibroblasts combined with modified PLA. On the 14th day of cell culturing in vitro, we was a control. Results:The arfificial skin is composed of epidermis and dermis and similar to natural skin in appearance. The skin consists of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which are in various proliferation and differentiation stages. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes distribute on the surface of polymer of lactic acid (PLA) and the number of fibroblast and keratinocyte increase. Conclusion:Dialdehyde starches (DAS) not only improve the function of PLA but also have good effects on cells. Moreover, it does not affect the growth and the metabolism of the cells. So it is feasible to use modified scaffold to construct tissue engineering skin.

Expression and subcellular localization of the ORF4 gene of barley yellow dwarf virus GAV strain in baculovirus-insect cell expression system / 生物工程学报

According to published nucleotide sequences, ORF4 gene of barley yellow dwarf virus GAV (BYDV-GAV) was synthesized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The BYDV-GAV ORF4 gene was expressed in baculovirus -insect cell expression system efficiently, and western bolt analysis confirmed its expression product. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that GFP: ORF4 fusion protein was associated with the nuclear envelope of insect cells. By expressing the N- and C-terminal regions of ORF4-encoding product (P4) in insect cells combined with structure prediction, it was found that the N-terminal region of P4 containing four a-helices is required for targeting P4 to the nuclear envelope. These results provide a base for biological function of ORF4 gene during systemic infection of BYDV-GAV in host plants further.

Applied anatomy study on the reversed submental island flap / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide anatomic data for clinical use of reversed submental island flap in reconstruction of buccal and facial defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty cadavers with 40 sides of head and neck which were fixed by formalin and perfused by red emulsion, 6 fresh cadavers which were perfused by coloring agent were dissected, observed and measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diameter of the submental artery, the superior lip artery and the inferior lip artery at their origins were respectively (1.42 +/- 0.30) mm (x +/- s, same at below), (1.34 +/- 0.35) mm and (1.34 +/- 0.27) mm respectively. The realistic distance from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (50.13 +/- 13.79) mm and (92.09 8.73) mm, respectively. However, the straight distances from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (35.19 +/- 9.18) mm, (64.99 +/- 5.24) mm, respectively. There were rich anastomoses between both facial arteries, and the facial arteries also anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic artery and the superficial temporal artery. On the marginal mandibular plane, the facial vein ran closely with the artery, the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial blood vessels; superior to this plane, the vein ran 1 cm behind the artery. The buccal branches of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial vein and ran into the muscles behind or across the facial artery. The facial vein anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic vein and the maxillary vein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is anatomic feasibility for the reconstruction of buccal and facial defects by using pedicled submental reversed island flap. The reversing point of the flap ought to be at the cheilion plane or inferiorly. Anatomy, regional</p>

Applied anatomy of the lower cervical pedicle screw insertion / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To ascertain an accurate approach to inserting the pedicle screw into C3-C7 segments of the cervical vertebra.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Anatomic morphology of lateral mass and pedicle, and their anatomic relationship with the adjacent tissue were observed on C3-C7 segments of 25 adult embalmed cadavers (50 sides).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the inferior edge of the pedicle were connected with each other on 25 adult embalmed cadavers (50 sides). The transverse section which passed through the median point between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, and the transverse section which passed through the central axis between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the pedicle, were in the same horizontal plane. The superior and inferior position of placing the pedicle screw was determined by this transverse section, which passed through the median point between the superior and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process. 2) There was a directed internal-downwards "triangular sulcule" between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process. The anterior wall of the triangular sulcule was the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, the posterior wall was the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process, and the bottom of the sulcule was connected with the interior edge of the pedicle. The vertical length between the top of triangle and the planes of inferior edge of the pedicle was (2.78+/-1.71) mm. The inferior edge of the cervical pedicle could be detected using a blunt probe along the "triangular sulcule" between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of the inferior articular process in surgical operation. 3) The lateral fovea of the articular process was observed on all lateral masses (50 sides). The internal and external position of the entrance point could depend on anatomic landmarks: the lateral edge of the lateral fovea of the articular process. The horizontal length between the lateral fovea of the articular process and the entrance point was (3.14+/-1.45) mm. 4) The diameter of pedicle screw, about (2.78+/-1.71) mm, was the transverse diameter of the cancellous bone of the greatest narrow part of the cervical pedicle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The median point between the superior edge and the inferior edge of the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process, the lateral fovea of the articular process, and the triangular sulcule between the base of the posterior tubercle of the transverse process and the anterolateral edge of inferior articular process, are easy to be exposed and identified in surgical operation. The pedicle screw can be precisely inserted through this method.</p>

The beneficial effects of lipid-lowering therapy with xuezhikang on cardiac events and total mortality in coronary heart disease patients with or without hypertension: a random, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate whether lipid-lowering therapy with Xuezhikang can reduce the risk of cardiac events and total mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with or without hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this random, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial, 2704 patients with hypertension and 2166 patients without hypertension were enrolled and capsule Xuezhikang 0.6 g Bid or placebo on the top of conventional therapy without other lipid-lowering drugs. The mean follow-up period was four years. The primary end-points were nonfatal myocardial infarction and total mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to placebo group, the incidence of cardiac events was reduced by 44.0% (P<0.0001) and 47.4% (P<0.0001) respectively in CHD patients with or without hypertension, and the total mortality was lowered by 35.8% (P=0.0012) and 28.6% (P=0.0737) respectively in CHD patients with or without hypertension. There was no significant difference in side effects between study groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xuezhikang can reduce the cardiac events and mortality in CHD patients with or without hypertension.</p>

China coronary secondary prevention study (CCSPS) / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The mean level of serum cholesterol in Chinese population with coronary heart disease (CHD) is relatively lower compared to that of western population. Our study aimed to evaluate whether lipid-lowering therapy with Xuezhikang can reduce the risk of cardiac events and total mortality in Chinese CHD patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was designed as a random, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial in 66 centers in China and was conducted from may, 1996 to December, 2003. 4870 CHD patients (serum cholesterol level 4.40 - 6.47 mmol/L, age 18 - 75 years, with definite myocardial infarction history) were selected and treated with capsule Xuezhikang (0.6 g Bid) or placebo in addition to conventional therapy (control group). The mean follow-up period was four years. The primary end-points were nonfatal myocardial infarction and deaths from CHD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It has been shown at the end of the trial: (1) The incidence of the primary end-points were 5.72% in Xuezhikang treatment group and 10.41% in control group, with a reduction of relative risk by 45.1% for treatment group (P = 0.0000). Among the primary end points, the incidence of deaths from CHD was 3.79% in the treatment group and 5.49% in the control group, with a reduction of relative risk by 31.0% in treatment group (P < 0.0048); (2) The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction reduced by 60.8% in treatment group compared to control group (1.93% vs 4.92%, P < 0.0000); (3) The incidence of the secondary end-points (stroke, tumor, PCI/CABG) also decreased by 31.1% in treatment group compared to control group (6.92% vs 10.04% P < 0.0004). Among the secondary end points, the demand for PCI/CABG was 3.01% in the treatment group and 4.51% in the control group, with a reduction of relative risk by 33.3% in treatment group (P = 0.097); (4) The total mortality was lower in treatment group than control group, with a reduction of relative risk by 33.0% in treatment group (5.19% vs 7.74% P = 0.0003). There were no significant differences in side effects and abnormal laboratory references between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared to placebo, Xuezhikang can significantly decrease the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction and deaths from CHD. It can also reduce significantly the demand for PCI/CABG, the total mortality and the deaths from tumor.</p>

China coronary secondary prevention study (CCSPS): outcomes from analysis of coronary heart disease patients with diabetes / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To elucidate whether lipid-lowering therapy with Xuezhikang can induce a decrease of cardiac events and an attenuation of total mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We designed a random, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial in selected 591 patients. All patients were administrated with capsule Xuezhikang (0.6 g, Bid) or placebo in addition to conventional therapy. The mean follow-up period was four years. The primary end-points were nonfatal myocardial infarction and death from CHD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The incidence of CHD events and that of death from CHD were reduced by 50.8% (P = 0.0008) and by 44.1% (P = 0.0246) in treatment group, respectively; Also, the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction was reduced by 63.8% (P = 0.0151). (2) The incidence of stroke, tumor, and PCI/CABG were decreased by 20.2%. (3) The total mortality were lowered by 44.1% in treatment group (P = 0.0097).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xuezhikang can effectively reduce the incidence of cardiac events and total mortality in CHD patients with diabetes.</p>

Study on the relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior among injecting drug users / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission through different modes of sharing injection equipment and sexual behavior among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan of Sichuan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A community-based survey was conducted to investigate past and current demographic data, injection equipment sharing patterns and sexual behavior of IDUs. Blood samples were also taken to test for HCV. The survey was conducted between Nov 8 and Nov 29, 2002. 379 subjects were screened through outreach recruitment and peer informing. SPSS (11.5) was used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HCV prevalence was 71.0% (269/379). Needles or syringes sharing in the past three months and past syphilis infection were strongly associated with HCV transmission after univariate analysis using chi-square test. Trend analysis indicated that HCV infection rate increased along with the increase of needles or syringes sharing, sharing of rinse water and the number of peers sharing the equipments. Data from multivariate logistic regression showed that sharing of needles or syringes and history of syphilis infection were significantly associated with HCV transmission. No significant difference was found between HCV infection and sexual behavior after univariate analysis using chi-square test.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Further sero-epidemiological prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the relationship between different modes of sharing injection equipment, sexual behavior and HCV infection.</p>

Relation between activation of NF-kappa B and chemotherapy induced apoptosis of leukemic cells / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relation between activation of NF-kappa B and chemotherapy induced apoptosis of leukemic cells and the effect of vincristine (VCR) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect the activation of NF-kappa B and tunel DNA electrophoresis was adopted to observe the apoptosis induced by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) and etopside (Vp-16) in P388 leukemic cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activation of NF-kappa B induced by Ara-C and Vp-16 was obviously correlated to apoptosis in P388 cells. VCR (0.1 micromol/L) could suppress activation of NF-kappa B by 52% and 63% and significantly increase the apoptosis by 89% and 123% as induced by Ara-C (100 micromol/L) and Vp-16 (100 micromol/L). The activity of NF-kappa B could be found in P388 cells before being exposed to chemotherapeutic agent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chemotherapeutic agents can induce apoptosis and activation of NF-kappa B of P388 cells. The mechanism of VCR potentiating chemotherapeutics induction of leukemia cell apoptosis may be related to its suppression of the NF-kappa B activity in the P388 cells.</p>

Novel multi-probe RNase protection assay set for detection of endotoxin associated receptors gene expression / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the multi-probe ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) template set to be used for detecting expression patterns of MD-2, TLR4, CD14 mRNAs in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The designed cDNA fragments of the three genes were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers and directionally cloned into EcoR I and Hind III sites of expression plasmid pSP72 containing the T7 promoter, the linearized plasmids was used as template to synthesize anti-sense RNA probes. Then we extracted total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and detected the dynamic expression patterns of the three genes with RPA method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proper sequence and orientation of the template set were confirmed by sequencing and the template set was successfully used to assay TLR4, MD-2 and CD14 mRNAs in human PBMC. The results showed that the three detected genes decreased transiently 1-3 hours after 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These new RPA multi-probe set provided valuable tool for the simultaneous quantitative determination of expression of TLR4, CD14 and MD-2 mRNAs in both constitutive and inducible types.</p>