What benefit can be obtained from magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis with artificial intelligence in prostate cancer compared with clinical assessments?

The present study aimed to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) methodology based on magnetic resonance (MR) images to aid in the management of prostate cancer (PCa). To this end, we reviewed and summarized the studies comparing the diagnostic and predictive performance for PCa between AI and common clinical assessment methods based on MR images and/or clinical characteristics, thereby investigating whether AI methods are generally superior to common clinical assessment methods for the diagnosis and prediction fields of PCa. First, we found that, in the included studies of the present study, AI methods were generally equal to or better than the clinical assessment methods for the risk assessment of PCa, such as risk stratification of prostate lesions and the prediction of therapeutic outcomes or PCa progression. In particular, for the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa, the AI methods achieved a higher summary receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC-AUC) than that of the clinical assessment methods (0.87 vs. 0.82). For the prediction of adverse pathology, the AI methods also achieved a higher SROC-AUC than that of the clinical assessment methods (0.86 vs. 0.75). Second, as revealed by the radiomics quality score (RQS), the studies included in the present study presented a relatively high total average RQS of 15.2 (11.0-20.0). Further, the scores of the individual RQS elements implied that the AI models in these studies were constructed with relatively perfect and standard radiomics processes, but the exact generalizability and clinical practicality of the AI models should be further validated using higher levels of evidence, such as prospective studies and open-testing datasets.

Panax quinquefolium saponin Optimizes Energy Homeostasis by Modulating AMPK-Activated Metabolic Pathways in Hypoxia-Reperfusion Induced Cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Panax quinquefolium saponin (PQS) on energy deficiency in hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R) induced cardiomyocytes. METHODS: The H/R injury involved hypoxia for 3 h and then reperfusion for 2 h. Cardiomyocytes recruited from neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were randomly divided into control, H/R, H/R+compound C (C.C), H/R+PQS, and H/R+C. C+PQS groups. BrdU assay, lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and early apoptosis rate were evaluated to assess cell damages. Contents of high energy phosphate compounds were conducted to detect the energy production. Protein expression levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase a (AMPKα), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), phosphate fructose kinase 2 (PFK2), fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 (FAT/CD36), and acetyl CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2) in the regulatory pathways were measured by Western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining of GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 was used to observe the mobilization of metabolic transporters. RESULTS: PQS (50 mg/L) pretreatment significantly alleviated H/R-induced inhibition of NRVMs viability, up-regulation of LDH leakage, acceleration of early apoptosis, and reduction of energy production (P<0.05). Compared with the H/R group, up-regulated expression of AMPKα, GLUT4, PFK2, FAT/CD36 and ACC2 were observed, and more GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 expressions were detected on the membrane in the H/R+PQS group (P<0.05). These effects of PQS on H/R-induced NRVMs were eliminated in the H/R+C.C+PQS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PQS has prominent advantages in protecting NRVMs from H/R-induced cell damages and energy metabolic disorders, by activation of AMPKα-mediated GLUT4-PFK2 and FAT/CD36-ACC2 pathways.

Huannao Yicong Decoction () extract reduces inflammation and cell apoptosis in Aß1-42-induced Alzheimer's disease model of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Huannao Yicong Decoction (, HYD), an effective herbal formula against Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been proven to have neuroprotective action in amyloid ß-protein1-42 (Aß1-42)-induced rat model. This study was designed to characterize mechanisms by which HYD leads to suppression of inflflammation and apoptosis in the brains of Aß1-42-induced rat. METHODS: A total of 72 rats were divided into 6 groups, which were referred to as: sham operation group, model group, donepezil-treated group, HYD low-dose group (HYDL), HYD middle-dose group (HYDM) and HYD high-dose group (HYDH). Rats in HYDL, HYDM and HYDH were injected with Aß1-42 at the CA1 region of hippocampus to form AD model and were fed the HYD extract at different dose of 3.78, 7.56 and 18.90 g crude drug/kg. The behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) before sacrififice. Pathological changes of the brain tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of Aß and proteins that are associated with apoptosis such as B-cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteine-aspartic protease (caspase)-3, -8, -9 and -12 in serum were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD rats were signifificantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01; Expressions of IL-1, TNF-α, Aß and apoptosis-signaling proteins caspase-3, -8, -9, -12 were signifificantly up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were signifificantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). When treated with HYD extract, the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD-model rats were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), IL-1, TNF-α, Aß, caspase-3, -8, -9 and -12 were down-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HYD extract can improve the learning and memory ability defificits, alleviate the inflflammatory response and pathological manifestations induced by Aß1-42 injection in the rat model of AD. HYD down-regulates the levels of IL-1, TNF-α and Aß, and decreases the rate of apoptosis by modulating apoptosis-signaling-related proteins such as caspase-3, -8, -9, and -12.

[Persistent chlamydial genital infection in Tianjin area: An epidemiological study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemic features of persistent genital chlamydial infection (GCI) in Tianjin area. METHODS: We statistically analyzed the clinical data about the persistent GCI patients received at the Venereal Disease Clinic of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients with persistent GCI were received from Tianjin area. The patients ranged in age from 19 to 67 years, 39.24% from 20 to 29 and 34.81% from 30 to 39 years, 36.71% with commercial occupation, and 55.06% with college education or above. The sex partners of the patients included their spouses (32.91%) and waitresses (41.77%). The incidence probability of persistent GCI was higher in the females (59.49%) than in the males. Many of the patients were complicated with infections of mycoplasma, syphilis, candida albicans, or condyloma acuminatum. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic trend of persistent GCI is rather grim in Tianjin area. New measures have to be developed targeting the epidemiological features of persistent GCI for better prevention and control of the disease.

[Advances in studies on pharmacological action of main chemical constituent of Curcuma Zedoary in preventing in-stent restenosis].

Traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma Zedoary ( E'Zhu) contains essential oil, curcuminoid and other effective constituents, with such pharmacological actions as anti-platelet aggregation, lowing blood lipid, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. In recent years, studies have showed that certain extracts and chemical components of E'Zhu could mitigate myocardial cell mitochondria injury and protect vascular endothelium by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibit nuclear factor NF-kappaB, target genes interleukin-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-6 (TRAF-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), reduce inflammatory infiltration, and inhibit growth factor-induced smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and migration by impacting oxidation of cellular phosphatases. Due to its different functions in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, E'Zhu has been applied in drug-eluting stents, with a potential effect in preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombogenesis. In this paper, studies on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of extracts and main chemical constituents from E'Zhu in preventing vascular restenosis were summarized.

Could a traumatic epidural hematoma on early computed tomography tell us about its future development? A multi-center retrospective study in China.

Our aim for this study was to quantitatively develop an early epidural hematoma (EDH) natural evolutionary curve and assess association of the most common radiological signs of initially nonsurgical supratentorial EDHs on early computed tomography (CT), in addition to their CT time for EDH enlargement. We retrospectively reviewed pertinent data of supratentorial EDH cases with CT ≤ 6 h postinjury (1997-2013) in three medical institutions in Shanghai. Cases involved were divided into six groups according to their initial CT time postinjury (≤ 1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 h for groups 1 through 6, respectively). Time of initial CT, EDH-associated fractures, EDH volume, and EDH locations were the focus in the present study. A total of 797 eligible cases were included. The EDH growth curve showed that EDH reached 98.1% of its final stabilized size by volume in 5 ∼ 6 h postinjury. EDH volume and locations on initial CT was greatly associated with subsequent EDH increase ≥ 30 mL with EDH increase requiring surgery when CT time was added. Multi-variate analysis succeeded in determining two risk factors for EDH enlargement ≥ 30 mL and EDH enlargement requiring an operation for EDH cases with an early CT/EDH volume >10 mL on CT performed ≤ 2 h and EDH located at the temporal or temporoparietal region on CT ≤ 1 h post brain injury. Using recursive partitioning analysis, "high-risk" identification criteria were derived to predict EDH enlargement ≥ 30 mL with sensitivity of 90.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.9-96.2), specificity of 60.1% (95% CI, 54.3-65.7), and EDH enlargement requiring surgery with sensitivity of 100.0% (95% CI, 89.9-100.0), and specificity of 59.9% (95% CI, 54.1-65.4). A redo-CT 5 ∼ 6 h post impact for cases at high risk is recommended.

Effect of Huannao Yicong prescription [See Text] extract on ß-amyloid precursor protein metabolic signal transduction-related protein in brain tissue of dementia model transgenic mouse.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Huannao Yicong Prescription (, HNYC, a Chinese medical compound) extract on ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolic signal transduction related protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine amyloid protein kinase (TrKA), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in brain tissue of transgenic mouse dementia model induced by APP. METHODS: Sixty dementia model transgenic 3-month-old mice induced by APP695V717I were randomly allocated in four groups: the model group (A), the Donepezil (0.65×10(-3) g·kg(-1)·(-1))-treated group (B), and the two HNYC-treated groups (C and D) with high dosage (2.8 g·kg(-1)·(-1)) and low dosage (1.4 g·kg(-1)·(-1)) of HNYC extract, respectively, 15 mice in each group. Besides, a normal control group was set up with 15 C57BL/6J mice with the same age and genetic background as the model mice. The drugs for treatment were administered once a day by dissolving in equal-volume distilled water through gastric infusion, continued for 6 months, to mice in group A and to normal control group equal-volume distilled water was administered instead. Spatial learning and memory capacity of mice were observed by Morris water maze; their one-time escape response memory capacity was tested by diving platform; and changes of PKC, TrkA, and GSK-3 levels in hippocampus and cortex of brain were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: HNYC extract showed significant effects on increasing the time of model mice for swimming through the flat roof and the swimming time and path in the fourth quadrant P<0.05 or P<0.01). Diving platform test showed that the latent times in Groups B and C were longer than that in Group A significantly (P <0.05 and P<0.01). Compared with the normal control group, PKC and TrkA protein expression levels in hippocampus and cortex of model mice's brain lowered significantly (P<0.01), while GSK-3 protein expression increased significantly (P<0.01); compared with Group A (the model group), hippocampal and cortical levels of PKC protein expression in the intervened groups (B-D) as well as those of TrkA in Group C were higher (P<0.01 or P<0.05), while hippocampal levels of GSK-3 in intervened groups were lower (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HNYC extract could obviously increase the protein expressions of PKC and TrkA and decrease the expression of GSK-3 protein in brain tissue of transgenetic mice model of dementia, and regulate APP metabolic signal transduction path, and thus to suppress the production of Aß, which is one of the dominant mechanisms for improving learning/memory capacity of dementia model animals.

Clinical efficacy of traditional chinese medicine on acute myocardial infarction: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of Chinese medicine (CM) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 334 AMI patients from January 2007 to March 2009 were consecutively enrolled, and were assigned to a treatment group (169 cases) treated with combined therapy (CM for at least one month and Western medicine) and a control group (165 cases) with Western medicine alone. Clinical data including age, gender, smoking, medical history, infarction area, heart functional classification, CM syndrome scores, blood-stasis syndrome score, primary end-point (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization) and secondary end-point (ischemic stroke, rehospitalization due to angina, heart failure and shock), were collected. CM syndrome scores, blood-stasis syndrome score, primary end-point and secondary end-point were collected during the 6-month follow-up. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the survival analysis. The multifactor analysis was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: At the end of 6-month the CM syndrome score and bloodstasis syndrome score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), especially the symptoms of chest pain, spontaneous perspiration and insomnia. Rehospitalization rate due to angina during the 6-month follow-up in the treatment group (2.96%) was lower than that in the control group (7.88%, P<0.05). Kaplan- Meier survival curve showed that event-free cumulated survival of rehospitalization due to angina during the 6-month follow-up in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (Log rank 4.700, P=0.03). Cox regression analysis showed that heart dysfunction [hazard ratio (HR)=1.601, 95% CI=1.084-2.364, P=0.018] and diabetes mellitus (HR=1.755, 95% CI=1.031-2.989, P=0.038) were hazard factors to end-point, whereas CM (HR 0.405, 95% CI=0.231-0.712, P=0.002), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, HR=0.352, 95% CI=0.204-0.607, P<0.001) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (HR=0.541, 95% CI=0.313-0.936, P=0.028) were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: CM therapy could decrease CM syndrome scores and blood-stasis syndrome score, reduce the rehospitalization rate during 6-month follow-up due to angina. Heart dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were hazard factors to end-point, whereas CM, PCI and ACE inhibitors were protective factors.

[Comparison of targeting distribution of two kinds of fluorouracil magnetic albumin microspheres in colorectal neoplasm nude mice in vivo under magnetic field].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution characteristics and the targeting feature of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified 5-fluorouracil magnetic albumin microspheres (5-FU-MAMS) and 5-FU-MAMS in major organs of colorectal neoplasm nude mice under magnetic field, and to provide experimental evidence for targeting therapy. METHODS: Eighteen mice were equally divided into PEG-5-FU-MAMS group(n=6), 5-FU-MAMS group(n=6), and 5-FU group(n=6). The colorectal neoplasm was exposed in the magnetic field of 3000 GS for 30 minutes. Three types of 5-FU were injected through the vena caudalis at the dose of 8 mg/kg. Thirty minutes later, the animals were immediately sacrificed after blood draw from the fossa orbitalis. The concentration of 5-FU in different organs including liver, lung, and tumor tissue were determined by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The 5-FU concentrations in colorectal cancer tissue, liver, lung, and blood were(73.3±3.2), (22.1±2.7), (26.3±2.8), and(1.6±0.6) mg/L in the PEG-5-FU-MAMS group, and were(55.9±5.4), (46.3±8.2), (39.4±5.4), and(1.7±0.4) mg/L in the 5-FU-MAMS group. The 5-FU concentration in colorectal neoplasm was higher in the PEG-5-FU-MAMS group than that in the 5-FU-MAMS group(P<0.01), while the concentration was lower in the liver and the lung than that in the 5-FU-MAMS group(all P<0.01). There were no significant difference of 5-FU concentration in the blood sample(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both PEG-5-FU-MAMS and 5-FU-MAMS show significant magnetic targeting to the colorectal neoplasm, and passive target capacity of PEG-5-FU-MAMS to liver and the lung. PEG modification can decrease passive target capacity and the active target capacity can be enhanced, which efficiently reduces the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents to important organs, and therefore provides a new initiative targeting chemotherapy for cancer.

Lack of association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and brain tumour risk.

OBJECTIVE: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important enzymes that are involved in detoxification of environmental carcinogens. Molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous deletion polymorphisms and brain tumours but results have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to clarify this problem using a meta-analysis. METHODS: A total of 9 records were identified by searching the PubMed and Embase databases. Fixed- and random-effects models were performed to estimate the pooled odds ratios. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous deletion polymorphisms and risk of brain tumours, including glioma and meningioma. Similar negative results were also observed in both population-based and hospital-based studies. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms may not be related to the development of brain tumours.

[Protective effect of fosinopril sodium pretreatment combined with ischemic postconditioning on rat heart underwent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fosinopril sodium pre-treatment combined with ischemic postconditioning on rat serum and myocardial oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines post ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 15), ischemia/reperfusion group (30 minutes in situ occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 1 hour reperfusion, n = 15), IPoC group (30 minutes occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 3 cycles of 10 seconds of reperfusion/10 seconds of ischemia before 1 hour reperfusion, n = 15) and fosinopril sodium group [pretreated with fosinopril sodium (0.9 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) for 14 days) followed by IPoC protocol at 2 h after the last gavage, n = 15]. The arterial blood and heart samples were extracted after 1 hour reperfusion. Serum CK-MB and cTnT levels were detected by colorimetric method, myocardial infarction size was measured by nitrotetrazolium blue chloride staining, SOD content was examined by colorimetric method, MDA content was detected using thiobarbituric acid method, serum levels of Interleukin-1α (IL-1α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were examined by radioimmunoassay, IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α levels of myocardial tissue were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with I/R group, myocardial enzymes and infarction size were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum SOD content was increased and MDA content was decreased (all P < 0.01), serum and myocardial levels of IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in IPoC group. Compared with IPoC group, fosinopril sodium pretreatment further reduced infarction size and myocardial enzyme CK-MB (P < 0.05), increased SOD content (P < 0.05) while reduced serum IL-6 and myocardial tissue TNF-α (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with fosinopril sodium enhanced the protective effect of IPoC on rat myocardium underwent I/R injury, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and early inflammatory reaction.

[Expression of osteopontin and survivin in prostate cancer and the clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and survivin in prostate cancer tissue, and study their correlation and roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. METHODS: The expressions of OPN and survivin in prostate cancer tissue, prostate hyperplasia tissue and normal prostate tissue were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of OPN mRNA and protein in prostate cancer tissue [76.1% (35/46) and 69.6% (32/46)] were significantly correlated to survivin expression [67.4% (31/46) and 67.4% (31/46)] (P<0.05). The expressions of OPN and survivin were related to the tumor grade and clinical stages (P<0.05). OPN and survivin were not found in prostate hyperplasia and normal prostate tissues. CONCLUSION: OPN and survivin may play important roles in the progression of prostate cancer and can be potential markers for invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer. OPN and survivin might play synergetic roles in prostate carcinogenesis.

[Mechanisms of Chinese herbs combined with ischemic postconditioning in protecting myocardium of rats from ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Chinese patent medicines with the function of replenishing qi to activate blood (RQAB) plus ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) in protecting myocardium of rats from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (the suture was penetrated around the left anterior descending coronary artery, but not tied, n=15), I/R group (30 minutes of in situ transient occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, followed by 1 hour of reperfusion, n=15), IPoC group (30 minutes occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, followed by 3 cycles of 10 s of reperfusion/10 s of ischemia before 1-hour reperfusion, n=15), RQAB plus IPoC group (pretreated with 0.162 g/kg Xinyue Capsule and 0.135 g/kg Xiongshao Capsule for 14 days, and treated with IPoC 2 h after the final gavage, n=15), fosinopril sodium plus IPoC group (pretreated with fosinopril sodium, 0.9 mg/kg, n=15). Serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level were detected; myocardial infarction size was measured by nitrotetrazolium blue chloride staining; Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in myocardial tissue were examined by immunohistochemical method; interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in myocardial tissue were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. RESULTS: Compared with the I/R group, myocardial enzymes and infarction size were decreased significantly in the IPoC group (P<0.01); expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 and levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 in myocardial tissues were also significantly lower than those in the I/R group (P<0.05). Compared with the fosinopril sodium plus IPoC group, expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were decreased significantly in the RQAB plus IPoC group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with IPoC, RQAB plus IPoC reduced the infarction size and the release of myocardial enzyme CK-MB (P<0.01), and decreased the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 and the levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in myocardial tissues. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with Chinese herbs for nourishing qi and activating blood circulation can enhance the protective effect of IPoC on rat myocardial I/R injury, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition of TLR expression and expressions of the downstream proinflammatory cytokines.

[Effects of xiongshao capsule combined with ischemic postconditioning on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat myocardium with ischemic reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of Xiongshao Capsule (XSC) combined with ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) contents as well as inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) in myocardium of rat with ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into 5 groups, the sham-operated group (A), the I/R group (B), the IPoC group (C), the fosinopril sodium plus IPoC group (D), and the XSC plus IPoC group (E). Excepting rats in Group A, all animals received I/R injury through a 30-min occlusion of left anterior descending artery followed by 1-h reperfusion. Additionally, IPoC (3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion/10 s of ischemia) was applied on rats in Group C before 1 h of reperfusion; while rats in Groups D and E were pretreated for 14 days with 0.9 mg/kg fosinopril sodium and 0.135 g/kg XSC respectively via gastrogavage, and the I/R injury with IPoC applied 2 h after the final gavage. Serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were detected by colorimetric method, myocardial infarction size was measured by nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) staining, MCP-1 and TNF-alpha contents in myocardial tissue were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and ICI was detected by HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with Group B, myocardial enzymes and infarction size were significantly decreased (P<0.01), contents of MCP-1, TNF-alpha and ICI in myocardial tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in Group C. Compared with Group C, further reduced infarction size and release of myocardial enzyme CK-MB (P<0.01) were seen in Group E, and contents of MCP-1 and TNF-alpha as well as ICI in myocardial tissue in Group E were also significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: XSC could enhance the protective effect of IPoC on rat with myocardial I/R injury, and the mechanism may be related to its inhibition on MCP-1 and TNF-alpha expressions as well as ICI suppression.

[Changes of immune function in liver cancer patients after transcatheter arterial chemoembolizaton combined with interstitial therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of immune function in patients with liver cancer after transcatheter arterial chemoembolizaton (TACE) combined with interstitial therapy. METHODS: Forty patients with liver cancer were randomly divided into groups A and B to received TACE and TACE combined with percutaneous lipiodol and anti-cancer agent injection into the tumor. The T lymphocyte cell subsets in the peripheral blood before and one week after the operation were measured by flow cytometry, and the immunoglobulin contents determined by single radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: CD3, CD4, and CD4/8 levels increased significantly after the operation in both groups A and B (P<0.05). The postoperative CD3 and CD4 levels, but not that of CD8, differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). The operations also resulted in an increase in the contents of the immunoglobulins and complements in the two groups, but the changes were not significant in group A (P>0.05); in group B, significant increases occurred in the immunoglobulin and complement levels (P<0.05) with the exception of C3. CONCLUSION: The combination of TACE and interstitial therapy with percutaneous intratumor injections of lipiodol and anti-cancer agents may better improve the cell-mediated immunity and humoral immune function of liver cancer patients.

[Effects of water extractives of a qi and blood regulating prescription on early atherosclerosis of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the water extractives of regulating qi and blood prescription (WQBP) had effects on early atherosclerosis of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (ApoE-mice) at the age of 19 weeks or not, and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: Forty ApoE-mice, six weeks of age, were given high-fat diet and randomly divided into four groups: high-dose WQBP-treated group (360 mg/kg), low-dose WQBP-treated group (72 mg/kg), simvastatin-treated group (25 mg/kg) and untreated group, with ten mice in each group. Meanwhile, ten C57BL/6 mice of same genetic background were allocated to normal control group. Mice in the high- and low-dose WQBP-treated groups and simvastatin-treated group were administered with corresponding drugs from the 15 to 19 weeks. Mice in the untreated and normal control groups were administered with isovolumic water. Sacrificed at 19 weeks, the level of blood-lipid, the plaque construction, plaque integral, and the contents of plaque macrophages and vessel smooth muscle cells of the mice were analyzed by immunohistochemical method and a computer picture processing system. RESULTS: Compared to the untreated group, high-dose WQBP group could obviously decrease the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Simvastatin group could decrease the levels of LDL-C and total cholesterol (TC) (P<0.01). In high-dose WQBP-treated group and simvastatin-treated group, the thickness of fiber cap and the quantities of vessel smooth muscle cells increased (P<0.05), the quantities of plaque macrophages and the ratio of lipid and plaque reduced (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: WQBP and simvastatin can interfere in early atherosclerosis of ApoE-mice, attenuate and stabilize plaque in some extent. The mechanisms may include adjusting blood lipid, decreasing macrophage number and increasing the quantities of vessel smooth muscle cells.

[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and the correlation with HPV16/18 infection in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of EGFR expression and HPV infection and their relationship in the genesis and progression of cervical carcinoma. METHODS: This analysis included 60 cases of cervical carcinoma, 40 cases of CIN and 30 cases of control group. Patients of cervical carcinoma group were all subjected to radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in Tumour Hospital, Zhongshan University from 1997 to 2001. The FIGO stage was I a - II b. EGFR protein was stained by S-P immunohistochemistry, and HPV16/18 DNA was detected by PCR. RESULTS: The moderate/ strong expression of EGFR was observed in 0, 42.5%, 76.7% of normal cervical epithelium, CIN and cervical tumor tissue, respectively, with a significant difference among them (P < 0.05). The infection of HPV16/18 was observed in 6.7%, 67.5%, 58.3% of normal cervical tissue, CIN and cervical tumors, respectively. The infection rate of CIN or cervical carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal cervicaltissue (P = 0.000), but no statistically significant difference was observed between cervical carcinoma and CIN. The moderate/strong expression of EGFR demonstrated an association with the cervical invasion depth. The EGFR expression increased significantly as the invasion depth progressed from less than or equal to a half cervical stroma to deeper than that (89.2% vs. 56.5%, P = 0.004). The infection of HPV16/18 demonstrated a correlation with the cervical canal invasion. The infection increased significantly in the cases with cervical invasion than that in the cases without invasion (88.2% vs. 46.5%, P = 0.003). But no significant correlation was observed between EGFR and HPV. Neither EGFR nor HPV had a significant association with carcinoma prognosis. CONCLUSION: EGFR and HPV demonstrate a significant correlation with genesis and progression of cervical carcinoma. In our study, neither EGFR nor HPV demonstrates a significant association with tumor prognosis, and no significant correlation is observed between EGFR and HPV.

[Effects of active components extracted from Qixue Bingzhi Recipe on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and expressions of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor genes].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of paeoniflorin and total flavones extracted from Qixue Bingzhi Recipe on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in endothelial cell conditioned medium (EC-CM) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and the expressions of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor genes. METHODS: The VSMCs were cultured in normal culture medium, EC-CM, simvastatin-medicated EC-CM, paeoniflorin and total flavones (low, medium and high dose) -medicated EC-CM respectively. The growth activity of VSMCs was assessed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expressions of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha) mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The growth activity of VSMCs cultured in the EC-CM induced by ox-LDL was significantly higher than that in the normal culture medium (P<0.01), and the expressions of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-alpha mRNAs were obviously increased as compared with those in the normal culture medium. The growth activity of VSMCs cultured in each paeoniflorin and total flavones-medicated EC-CM was significantly lower than that in the EC-CM (P<0.01), and the expressions of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-alpha mRNAs were obviously decreased as compared with those in the EC-CM. CONCLUSION: The paeoniflorin and total flavones extracted from Qixue Bingzhi Recipe may be beneficial to the prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis, and this efficacy may be correlated with down-regulating the expressions of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-alpha mRNAs which are related to the proliferation of VSMCs cultured in EC-CM induced by ox-LDL.

[Risk factors and prognosis of node-positive cervical carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Pelvic lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor of cervical carcinoma, but few have been reported on both risk factors and prognostic factors of node-positive cervical carcinoma. This study was to evaluate risk factors, distribution pattern, and prognosis of node-positive cervical carcinoma, and explore the forecast of lymph node metastasis and appropriate treatment. METHODS: Clinical data of 205 cervical cancer patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of lymph node metastasis was 24.4% (50/205). Univariate analysis showed that risk factors of node metastasis were serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) before treatment, clinical stage, invasive depth of cervical canal or vaginal portion of the cervix, and uterine ligaments involvement. SCC values exceeding 4 microg/L increased the risk of nodal metastasis by 4.2 folds (P<0.001, OR=4.212). Multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage and invasive depth of cervical canal were the major risk factors. The obturator and obturator fossae lymph nodes were the most frequently involved, with a rate of 48.0%. Moreover, 60.0% node-positive patients had multiple sites lymph node metastases, and saltatory metastasis was found. Lymph node metastasis was closely related to deep muscularis involvement of the cervix and parametrial involvement; 72.0% nodal metastases were accompanied with deep muscularis involvement of the cervix, 90.9% uterine ligament invasions were accompanied with lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the patients received postoperative radiation than in the patients didn't receive radiation (89.1% vs. 45.5%, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Serum level of SCC-Ag before treatment exceeding 4 microg/L, deep muscularis involvement of vaginal portion of the cervix, uterine ligaments involvement, especially advanced stage and deep muscularis involvement of the cervical canal, are risk factors of pelvic lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer. The standard type III radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy should be performed to the patients with high risk of lymph node metastasis to ensure enough amplitude of parametrectomy and excision of positive nodes. When lymph node metastasis is confirmed after surgery, postoperative radiation can improve the prognosis.

[Clinical study on compatibility and dismantlement of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regularity of traditional Chinese compound prescription by observing the clinical effect of the compatibility and dismantlement of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on blood stasis and stagnation of qi syndrome of angina. METHOD: 123 outpatients were randomly divided into Xuefu Zhuyu group(XF), Jingzhi Xuefu Zhuyu group(JZ), Yaodui group(YD) and placebo group and treated. RESULT: The array of angina effect and blood stasis and qi stagnation of syndrome effect was XF group, JZ group, YD group, placebo group( P < 0.01). The levels of blood viscosity, platelet adhesiveness, RED transfigure were significantly different before and after treatment in XF group (P < 0.05). The levels of blood viscosity, platelet adhesiveness were significant different before and after treatment in JZ group ( P < 0.05). The levels of blood plasma viscosity, platelet adhesiveness were significantly different before and after treatment in YD group ( P < 0.05). The levels of platelet adhesiveness, RED transfigure were significantly different before and after treatment in placebo group (P < 0.05). There are no difference among levels of blood lipoprotein and ET of four groups ( P > 0.05). Significant difference was found among four groups in increase of NO and t-PA and decrease of IL-6 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical effect and indexes amelioration are correlated to the combination of prescription and the corresponding degree of prescription to syndrome. There are same material foundation in the series of Xuefu Zhuyu dismantle decoction, but the function degree and targets are different with the change of herbs. The method of conjugating disease and syndromes, and prescription to syndromes are a practical pattern to expound the relationship between disease and syndrome.