Effects of Saponins from Allium Macrostemon Bunge Bulbs on Platelet Aggregation and Interactions between Platelets and Neutrophils / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of saponins from Allium Macrostemon Bunge Bulbs (SMBB) on platelet aggregation and platelet-neutrophil-interactions. Methods The effects of SMBB on platelet aggregation in SD rats were observed in vivo and in vitro. The adhesion of platelets to neutrophils was measured by rosette test. The effect of SMBB on activated platelet calcium levels was detected. Results Platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly inhibited by SMBB in vitro concentration-dependent. Platelet aggregation induced by PAF, AA and ADP was significantly inhibited by 5 mg/kg of SMBB. SMBB could reduce the intracellular calcium concentration in the wash platelets. SMBB significantly reduced the adhesion between neutrophils and thrombin-activated platelets and inhibited neutrophil supernatant-induced platelet aggregation, with IC50of 2.7 μmol/L and 9.6 μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion SMBB can inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo, and inhibit the interactions between platelets and neutrophils.

Analysis of Steroid Hormone by Low Temperature Plasma Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A device to produce low temperature plasma ( LTP) was designed and constructed to serve as the ion source of a high resolution mass spectrometry, and was applied to qualitatively analyze the steroid samples. In comparison with conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, low temperature plasma mass spectrometry ( LTP-MS) had some advantages such as simple sample pretreatment and less interference. Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry were used to characterize the steroid samples in this research, and it was found that the structural stability of each steroid sample was presented in its mass spectrum, while in the tandem mass spectra there were more fragments of H2 O lost. And then the fragmentation process of typical steroid samples in collision induced dissociation ( CID ) was discussed based on theoretical calculation. In addition, by comparing tandem mass spectrometry and the fragmentation process, a pair of isomers of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone could be distinguished successfully.

Enteral versus parenteral nutrition after gastrointestinal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the different prognosis between enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients after gastrointestinal surgery (GIS), and to investigate a reasonable regimen of enteral nutrition (EN) after GIS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on EN/PN after GIS from 1970 to 2008 retrieved from the data bank of Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were analyzed. Evaluation endpoints were anastomotic dehiscence, infection (catheter sepsis, wound infection, pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscess and urinary tract infection), vomiting and abdominal distention, other complications, length of hospital stay and mortality rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-three RCTs including 2784 patients met the entering criteria. Compared with PN, EN was beneficial in the reduction of anastomotic dehiscence (RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.50 - 0.91; P = 0.010), infections (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.64 - 0.81; P < 0.001), other complication (RR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.73 - 0.92; P < 0.001) and duration of hospital stay (weighted mean difference: -3.60; 95%CI: -3.88 - -3.32; P < 0.001). But the risk of vomiting was increased among patients with EN (RR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.21 - 1.59; P < 0.001), and there was no significant differences in mortalities between the two groups (P = 0.400).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is no advantage in treating patients 'nil by mouth' after gastrointestinal surgery. It indicated that early commencement of enteral feeding is beneficial.</p>

Effect of 5-fluorouracil in combination with Astragalus membranaceus on amino acid metabolism in mice model of gastric carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of 5-fluorouracil-FU in combination with astragalus membranaceus(AM) on amino acid metabolism in mice model of gastric carcinoma induced by 3-methylcholanthrene(MC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice gastric carcinoma models were established by 3-methylcholanthrene induction and randomly divided into different groups, and received 5-FU treatment (group A) 5-FU plus AM (group B), 5-FU plus a high dose of AM(group C), no treatment (group D). Normal mice were used as control (group N). Free amino acid in the tumor specimens were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of free Valine, Methionine, Leucine, Arginine and cystine in the tumor specimens in group D were significantly higher than that in group N(P< 0.05). The levels of free serine in group A, B, C, D were significantly higher than that in group N. The levels of free glutamic acid in group A, B were significantly higher than that in group N(P< 0.05). The levels of free proline in group C, D were significantly higher than that in group P, N(P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increasing levels of free serine and proline in tumor specimens in gastric cancer mice model reveals metabolic disturbance of amino acid. 5-FU plus astragalus membranaceus can decrease the level of free glutamic acid in the mice models, and inhibit tumor growth.</p>

Efficacy and safety of adjuvant post-surgical therapy with imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients with high risk of recurrence: interim analysis from a multicenter prospective clinical trial / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) patients who had high risk of recurrence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective, open-label, multi-center trial conducted in sixteen teaching hospitals in China was carried out. The criteria of the enrolled patients included age more than 18 years old, CD117 positive GIST, tumor size more than 5 cm, pathological mitosis counts more than 5/50 HPF, and treatment beginning within 4 weeks after complete resection and with imatinib (400 mg, once a day) for at least 12 months. The 1, 3 year recurrence rates, disease free survival, overall survival rate and quality of life were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From Aug. 16th 2004 to Sep. 13th 2005, there were totally 74 patients screened and 57 patients (34 men, 23 women) enrolled in the imatinib treatment group. The primary tumors were located in the stomach in 50.9%, the small intestine in 38.6% and the colorectum in 10.5% of the cases. All the patients received radical resection. Until the cut-off date of interim analysis, there was no evidence of tumor relapse or metastasis in all patients and no death was reported either. Among the 57 enrolled patients with intention to treat(ITT), twelve patients finished the protocol (per protocol, PP). The disease free survival was (268.3 +/-120.2) d in ITT analysis, and (396.7+/-38.2) d in the PP analysis. The incidence of adverse effect was 44.4% . The score in quality of life showed no statistically significant difference between the baseline visit and the follow-up visits.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Imatinib is a promising postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in GISTs patients with high risk of recurrence, and the adverse effects are receivable.</p>

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of 48 cases of parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience in diagnosis and surgical treatment of parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma (PTA and PTC) in our department.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical and pathological data of 48 cases admitted in our department from Jan 1995 to Dec 2005 were reviewed. Among the 48 cases, 46 cases were of parathyroid adenoma and 2 cases of parathyroid carcinoma. The average clinical history of the 48 cases was 3.65 +/- 2.83 years. The serum calcium and PTH levels were elevated in all the 48 cases. In 31 cases ultrasonographic results were consisted with that of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. Unilateral neck exploration was performed in 18 cases and no case with post-operative tumor remnants was found. In other 13 cases bilateral exploration was performed but no one case was found to be tumor positive in the opposite side of the glands. Tumors resection was performed in all the 48 cases, among which in the 2 cases with PTC, ipsilateral thyroid lobe excision and modified neck dissection were also performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Clinical symptoms of all the patients were relieved after operation. No recurrent case was found during the follow-up periods (from 1 month to 10 years). The average level of serum calcium and PTH declined significantly after operation. The post-operational serum calcium and PTH levels at 3 days after operation were even lower than normal. Transient post-operational hypocalcemia was found in almost all the patients. The serum calcium and PTH levels in all patients recovered to normal level within a periods from 1 week to 3 months after operation. The sensitivity and positive prediction value of localization methods were 97.0% and 94.1% of ultrasonography, respectively, and 100% and 97.3% of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with chronic bone diseases, repeatedly recurrent nephrolithiasis, peptic ulcer disease or pancreatitis should be regarded as suspicious cases of PTA and PTC, and serum calcium assay should be performed as a routine screening procedure. Serum calcium and PTH assays are both reliable methods for the diagnosis of PTA and PTC. A combination of ultrasonography and 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy is sufficient for locating adenomas. Accompanied by intraoperative pathological examination, unilateral neck exploration is an acceptable approach for patients with definitely preoperative confirmed adenoma localization.</p>

A study on correlation of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer to vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, and fibronectin / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin- 2 and fibronectin (FN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The transcription and expression of VEGF, angiopoietin- 2 and FN were detected by semiquantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (SQRT- PCR) and immunohistochemical staining in the specimens from sixty patients with colorectal cancer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA transcription and expression levels of VEGF, angiopoietin- 2 and FN in colorectal cancer tissues were obviously higher than those in paratumor normal tissues P< 0.05. The transcription and expression levels of VEGF were correlated with tumor invasion P< 0.05,Dukes' stage P< 0.05,and lymph node and/or hepatic metastasis P< 0.05. Angiopoietin expression and transcription levels were correlated with tumor differentiation. The expression of FN in extra cellular matrix (ECM) was significantly higher (P< 0.05),whereas ECM in basement membrane was significantly lower in cancer tissues than that in paratumor normal tissues (P< 0.05),which both were correlated with tumor invasion P< 0.05,Dukes' stage P< 0.05,and lymph node metastasis P< 0.05. Absence of FN protein in basement membrane was also correlated with hepatic metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Colorectal cancer cells can secrete VEGF and contribute to metastasis and proliferation of tumor by stimulating the growth of tumor vessel. Both of VEGF and angiopoietin- 2 contribute to angiogenesis and the decrease of FN in basement membrane of cancer tissue is an important primary factor of hepatic metastasis.</p>

Correlation between the activation of AP-1 signal transduction pathway and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the binding activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) with DNA probe in the colorectal carcinoma (CRC) tissues and surrounding tissues and explore the correlation between the activation of AP-1 signal transduction pathway and metastasis of CRC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The AP-1 DNA binding activities were investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in CRC specimens (T), surrounding tissues including 2 cm (P(2)), 5 cm(P(5)) far away from primary tumor margin and distal resection margin of the specimens (N). The mRNA expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured by quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q- RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AP-1 DNA binding activity in T was significantly higher than those in P(2), P(5) and N (P< 0.05) tissues. There were significantly positive correlations between AP-1 DNA binding activity in tumor and invasive degree, lymphatic metastasis respectively (P< 0.01), but no correlation with histological classification and differentiation (P> 0.05). The transcription levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in CRC were significantly higher than those in P(5) and N (P< 0.01, P< 0.05) tissues. The transcription levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were significantly correlated with increasing AP-1 DNA binding activity (P< 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>AP-1 is significantly correlated to the invasion and metastasis in CRC. The activation of AP-1 signal transduction pathway might be involved in the angiogenesis and of degradation extracellular matrix during tumor metastasis.</p>