Efficacy of glycyrrhizin combined with cyclosporine in the treatment of non-severe aplastic anemia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been widely used in the treatment of aplastic anemia (AA), but the application of CsA was limited in patients who had liver diseases or abnormal liver function due to its liver toxicity. Glycyrrhizin has long been used in China in the treatment of various liver diseases to lower transaminases. In this study, we observed the efficacy and safety of glycyrrhizic acid combined with CsA in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with non-severe AA (NSAA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total number of 76 patients with newly diagnosed NSAA were enrolled into the study at our hospital between July 2005 and June 2010. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the glycyrrhizin-treatment group (group A) and the control group (group B) with 38 patients in each group. All patients received 3 - 5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) CsA for at least 4 months and were treated either with or without glycyrrhizin for 4 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>sixty-eight patients were eligible for evaluation. In the control group, 9.09% patients (n = 3) achieved a complete response while 51.52% (n = 17) attained a partial response. The overall response rate was 60.61% (n = 20). The remaining 13 patients (39.39%) did not have any response. In the glycyrrhizin-treatment group, complete response rate was 20% (n = 7) and partial response rate was 62.86% (n = 22). The overall response rate was 82.86% (n = 29) and the non-response rate was 17.14% (n = 6). Response rate was significantly increased with the addition of glycyrrhizin to CsA compared with CsA alone (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of glycyrrhizin and cyclosporine regimen was an effective treatment for NSAA in terms of improvement of response rate, reduction in CsA-related liver injury, and attenuation of severity of nausea and other adverse events in the treatment of patients with NSAA.</p>

Influence of 1.8 GHz microwave on DNA damage induced by ultraviolet C ray / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study whether 1.8 GHz microwaves (MW) (SAR, 3 W/kg) exposure can influence DNA damage induced by ultraviolet ray (UV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The lymphocytes were obtained from three young healthy donors. The cells were exposed to 254 nm UV at the doses of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 J/m(2). The lymphocytes were also exposed to 1.8 GHz MW (SAR, 3 W/kg) for 0, 1.5 and 4.0 h. The combination exposure of UV plus MW was conducted. The treated cells were incubated for 0, 1.5 and 4.0 h. Finally, comet assay was used to detect DNA damage of above treated lymphocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of DNA damage induced between MW group and control group was not significant (P>0.05). the MTLs induced by UV were (1.71+/-0.09), (2.02+/-0.08), (2.27+/-0.17), (2.27+/-0.06), (2.25+/-0.12), (2.24+/-0.11)microm, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control [(0.96+/-0.05) microm], (P<0.01). MTLs of some sub-groups in combination exposure groups at 1.5 h incubation were significantly lower than those of corresponding UV sub-groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05. However, MTLs of some sub-groups in combination exposure groups at 4.0 h incubation were significantly higher than those of corresponding UV sub-groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exposure to 1.8 GHz (SAR, 3 W/kg) MW for 1.5 and 4.0 h can not enhance significantly human lymphocyte DNA damage. But MW can reduce or enhance DNA damage of lymphocytes induced by UV at 1.5 h and 4.0 h incubation in comet assay in vitro, respectively.</p>

Effect of Pulmonary Surfactant on Respiratory Function of Newborn Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Advanced Stage / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the effect of pulmonary surfactant(PS) on lung function and ventilator parameters of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS) in the advanced stage.Methods Twenty-eight infants with NRDS were given PS in one dose by endotracheal intubation on the left side,right side,feet high with head low,and level decub respectively.The dose of PS was 100-150 mg/kg each time,each posture slow note of the drug were required 1/4,out of the straw,hand-controlled ventilation,to reduce fluid loss,with the exception of a clear airway obstruction,within 6 hours after the administration not to shoot back suction,to give mechanical ventilation after the injection.Lung function parameters were also measured:pressure of oxygen in artery[p_a(O_2)],carbon dioxide partial pressure[p_a(CO_2)],the ratio of pressure of oxygen in artery and alveolar oxygen partial pressure[a/Ap(O_2)] and oxygenation index(OI) were determined.Ventilator parameters were determined:oxygen concentration(FiO_2),oxygen peak(PIP),end-expiratory positive pressure(PEEP) and mean airway pressure(MAP) were determined.These numerical data were analyzed and compared before and after treatment with PS.Clinical manifestations,thoracic X-ray changes,survival rate and incidence rate of complications were also analyzed and compared before and after PS therapy.Results p_a(O_2),a/Ap(O_2) showed significant upgrade and OI had a decrease after PS administration in comparison with those before PS therapy.The ventilator parameters(except for PEEP) acquired were also lower after drug administration than those in before drug therapy.There were significant differences in both stages(P_a90%,respiratory sound in 24 cases enhanced,the observation of chest film after 24 h indicated that,lesions in 21 cases improved significantly,5 cases took a favorable turn.The survival rate was 85.7%.The incidence rate of complication was as follows:pneumonia was 25%,patent ductus arteriosus was 10.7%,pneumorrhagia was 7.1% and intraventricular hemorrhage was 3.6%,respectively.Conclusion Respiratory function of NRDS is significantly improved by using PS in the advanced stage,and therapeutic effect is apparent.

Assessment of human DNA repair (NER) capacity with DNA repair rate (DRR) by comet assay / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Alkaline comet assay was used to evaluate DNA repair (nucleotide excision repair, NER) capacity of human fresh lymphocytes from 12 young healthy non-smokers (6 males and 6 females).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lymphocytes were exposed to UV-C (254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m2/sec. Novobiocin (NOV) and aphidicolin (APC), DNA repair inhibitors, were utilized to imitate the deficiency of DNA repair capacity at the incision and ligation steps of NER. Lymphocytes from each donor were divided into three grougs: UVC group, UVC plus NOV group, and UVC plus APC group. DNA single strand breaks were detected in UVC irradiated cells incubated for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after UVC irradiation. DNA repair rate (DRR) served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results indicated that the maximum DNA damage (i.e. maximum tail length) in the UVC group mainly appeared at 90 min. The ranges of DRRs in the UVC group were 62.84%-98.71%. Average DRR value was 81.84%. The DRR difference between males and females was not significant (P < 0.05). However, the average DRR value in the UVC plus NOV group and the UVC plus APC group was 52.98% and 39.57% respectively, which were significantly lower than that in the UVC group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The comet assay is a rapid, simple and sensitive screening test to assess individual DNA repair (NER) capacity. It is suggested that the time to detect DNA single strand breaks in comet assay should include 0 (before UV irradiation), 90 and 240 min after exposure to 1.5 J x m(-2) UVC at least. The DRR, as an indicator, can represent the individual DNA repair capacity in comet assay.</p>

Influence of 1.8 GHz microwave on DNA damage induced by 4 chemical mutagens / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of 1.8 GHz microwave (MW) specific absorption rate (SAR, 3 W/kg) on human lymphocytes DNA damage induced by 4 chemical mutagens [mitomycin C (MMC), bleomycin (BLM), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO)].</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Comet assay in vitro was used to detect human lymphocyte DNA damage induced by 1.8 GHz MW, 4 chemical mutagens, and MW plus 4 chemicals 0 h and 21 h respectively after exposure. The time exposed to MW or mutagens was 2 h or 3 h respectively. The results were showed by tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of DNA damage between MW group and control group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). DNA damages in MW plus MMC groups and MW plus 4NQO groups were significantly greater than those in the corresponding concentrations of MMC groups and 4NQO groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). However, MW did not enhance DNA damage induced by MMS and BLM (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to 1.8 GHz (SAR, 3 W/kg) microwave may not induce human lymphocyte DNA damage, but could enhance DNA damage induced by MMC and 4NQO.</p>

Investigating genetic damage of workers occupationally exposed to methotrexate / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study genetic damage of workers alone occupationally exposed to methotrexate (MTX) with three end-points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The blood samples from 21 workers exposed to MTX and 21 controls were detected with micronucleus test, comet assay, hprt gene mutation test and TCR gene mutation test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean micronuclei rate (MNR) and mean micronucleated cells rate (MCR) in 21 workers were 10.10 per thousand +/- 0.95 per thousand and 8.05 per thousand +/- 0.75 per thousand, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (5.48 per thousand +/- 0.82 per thousand and 4.38 per thousand +/- 0.58 per thousand) in control (P < 0.01). The mean tail length (MTL) of 21 workers and 21 controls were (1.30 +/- 0.06) microm and (0.07 +/- 0.01) microm, respectively, there was significant difference between workers and controls (P < 0.01). But the difference between workers and controls for mean tail moment (MTM) was not significant (P > 0.05). The average mutation frequency (Mf-hprt) of hprt and (Mf-TCR) of TCR in workers were 1.00 per thousand +/- 0.02 per thousand and (6.87 +/- 0.52) x 10(-4), respectively, which were significantly higher than those [0.86 per thousand +/- 0.01 per thousand and (1.67 +/- 0.14) x 10(-4)] in control (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The genetic damage to some extent appeared in workers occupationally exposed to methotrexate.</p>

Detecting DNA repair capacity of human lymphocytes exposed to ultraviolet C with comet assay / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess DNA repair capacity of human lymphocytes with comet assay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fresh lymphocytes form twelve 26-year old donors (6 males, 6 females) were exposed to ultraviolet C (UVC, 254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m(2). The lymphocytes of each donor were divided into three parts: UVC group, UVC + aphidicolin (APC) group, UVC + novobiocin (NOV) group. DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay in UVC-irradiated cells and unirradiated cells incubated for 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min. DNA repair rate (DRR) was calculated and served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The maximum average comet tail length (MTL) in three groups appeared 90 min after UVC exposure. The DRR range of UVC group was 81.84% (62.84% - 98.71%); There was no significant difference in DRR between males and females (P > 0.05). However, the average DRRs of UVC + NOV group and UVC + APC group (52.98% and 39.57% respectively) were significantly lower than that of UVC group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comet assay is a rapid and simple screening test to assess DNA repair capacity. DRR, as an indicator, may express the individual DNA repair capacity.</p>

Effect of Dexamethasone on Excitatory Amino Acid and Monoamine Neurotransmitter in Cerebral Tissue of Neonatal Rats with Hypoxia-Ischemia / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the value of dexamethasone(DEX) for neuronal cell injury and death by observing the effect of DEX on excitatory amino acid(EAA) and monoamine neurotransmitter in cerebral tissue of neonatal rat with hypoxia-ischemia.Methods Hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rat models were established,the levels of EAA and monoamine neurotransmitter in cerebral tissue were analyzed by using capillary electrophoresis and fluorospectrophotometry method.The rats were divided into 4 groups: small dose DEX group pre-treated with DEX(0.5 mg/kg) prior to hypoxia-ischemia,large dose DEX group pre-treated with DEX(10 mg/kg) prior to hypoxia-ischemia,HIE group and shamful operation group.Results The levels of EAA and monoamine neurotransmitter contents in HIE group were significantly higher than those in shamful operation group(P0.05).EAA contents of large dose DEX group greatly decreased compared with HIE group (P