You Gui Wan can reverse atrophic effect of ovariectomy on rat vaginal fold and blood vessels in the lamina propria

The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not You Gui Wan (YGW), a classical herbal formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has an impact on rat uterine and vaginal atrophic processes induced by ovariectomy (OVX). Thirty-four OVX Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three sets, and orally administrated with YGW decoction, saline or estrogen for 11 weeks, respectively. Histomorphological changes of the uterus and vagina, and serum estradiol levels were then compared. Results showed that OVX caused a dramatic atrophy of the uterus and vagina in the rats. Estrogen replacement reversed the effect of OVX, but with a side effect of endometrial hyperplasia. YGW had no significant effect on blood estradiol concentration or uterine histology, but it significantly overturned the atrophic processes of the vaginal fold and blood vessels in the lamina propria. In order to initially explore the mechanisms underlying these effects, immunostaining of estrogen receptor (ER)-α and -β in the vagina was performed. It was shown that OVX reduced expressions of ER while YGW and estrogen replacement reversed this reduction. Our findings suggest that YGW can reverse the atrophic effect of OVX on rat vaginal plica and blood vessels in the lamina propria with little adverse effect on endometrial hyperplasia. This indicates the herbal formula as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in the management of menopausal vaginal atrophy. Recovery of ER expressions in the vagina might be one of mechanisms underlying the effects of YGW.     

银杏达莫治疗缺血性脑血管病49例临床分析

目的观察银杏达莫治疗急性缺血性脑血管病的临床疗效。方法选择98例缺血性脑血管病患者随机分为治疗组和对照组各49例,治疗组给予银杏达莫注射液20mL加液体静滴,每日1次,14d为一个疗程,;对照组用复方丹参注射液20mL加液体静滴,每日1次,14d为一个疗程,治疗14d后观察比较治疗前后的血液流变学参数变化和神经功能缺损评分。结果治疗组神经功能缺损评分与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗组有效率93．8％,对照组有效率79．6％,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗组血液流变学指标明显改善（P〈0．05）。治疗过程中两组均未发生任何副反应。结论银杏达莫注射液治疗缺血性脑血管病有较好疗效,安全可靠。     

Understanding the physical interactions in the FGF21/FGFR/β-Klotho complex: structural requirements and implications in FGF21 signaling

The endocrine fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) requires both fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and β-Klotho for signaling. In this study, we sought to understand the inter-molecular physical interactions in the FGF21/FGFR/β-Klotho complex by deleting key regions in FGFR1c or FGF21. Deletion of the D1 and the D1-D2 linker (the D1/linker region) from FGFR1c led to β-Klotho-independent receptor activation by FGF21, suggesting that there may be a direct interaction between FGF21 and the D1/linker region-deficient FGFR1c. Consistent with this, the extracellular portion of FGFR1c lacking the D1/linker region blocked FGF21 action in a reporter assay, presumably by binding to and sequestering FGF21 from acting on cell surface receptor complex. In addition, the D1/linker region-deficient FGFR1c had enhanced interaction with β-Klotho. Further, we demonstrated that deletion of the D1/linker region enhanced the formation of the FGF21/β-Klotho/FGFR1c ternary complex in both Biacore and asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation studies. Finally, we found that the N-terminus of FGF21 is involved in the interaction with FGFR1c and FGF21/β-Klotho/FGFR1c ternary complex formation. Taken together, our data suggest that the D1/linker region regulates both the FGF21/FGFR1c and FGFR1c/β-Klotho interaction, and a direct interaction of FGF21 with FGFR1c may be an important step in receptor-mediated FGF21 signaling.     

Brivudin compared with famciclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster: effects in acute disease and chronic pain in immunocompetent patients. A randomized, double-blind, multinational study

OBJECTIVE: This was a double-blind, randomized multicentre trial comparing efficacy and safety of brivudin (125 mg, once a day) and famciclovir (250 mg, three times a day), both given orally for 7 days, in the treatment of herpes zoster. METHODS: A total of 2027 immunocompetent zoster patients>or=50 years with zoster-related pain at presentation were included. Outcome measures embraced prevalence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), defined as at least moderate pain 3 months after treatment initiation, duration of PHN, prevalence and duration of zoster-associated pain (ZAP), duration of vesicle formation and rash healing. RESULTS: The prevalence of PHN at month 3 was 11.3% with brivudin and 9.6% with famciclovir [per-protocol (PP) population]. Equivalence of the two drugs could be demonstrated (P=0.01, PP and intention-to-treat analysis). The median duration of PHN was 46.5 days with brivudin and 58 days with famciclovir (P=0.54, PP analysis). Prevalence and duration of ZAP did not differ significantly between treatment groups. The prevalence of PHN was higher in patients>or=65 years (brivudin: 16.4%, famciclovir: 16.4%), and in patients with severe rash (brivudin: 13.4%, famciclovir: 15.7%), without significant differences between treatment groups. In patients>or=65 years, median duration of PHN was shorter with brivudin than with famciclovir (39.5 vs. 57.5 days), although the difference was not statistically significant. The two drugs had equivalent efficacy in being able to accelerate the stop of vesicle formation, and lesion healing. Adverse events were similar in nature and prevalence among groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated equivalent efficacy of brivudin and famciclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster regarding the prevention of chronic pain and the resolution of signs and symptoms of acute herpes zoster. Compared with famciclovir, brivudin provides equivalent efficacy and safety at a more convenient once-daily dose schedule.     

血浆置换治疗慢性重型肝炎疗效影响单因素分析

目的探讨血浆置换(plasma exchange,PE)治疗对慢性重型肝炎疗效的影响因素。方法对109例慢性重型肝炎患者在内科综合治疗基础上进行PE治疗,用SPSS软件分析治疗次数、年龄、发病基础、并发症、生化指标等各因素对PE治疗慢性重型肝炎疗效的影响。结果治愈好转67例,有效率61.47%;PE的次数以3次为宜,随着次数增加,疗效无明显提高;年龄越大,疗效越差;早期、中期有效率明显高于晚期(P<0.01);在肝硬化基础上发生重型肝炎者有效率只有41.38%,低于携带者和慢性肝炎基础上发生重肝者(P<0.05);治疗前并发症越多,疗效越差;血清总胆红素(TBIL)升高、总胆固醇(TC)、胆碱酯酶活力(CHE)及凝血酶原活动度(PTA)下降的程度与PE的疗效有关(P<0.05)。结论PE为重型肝炎治疗提供了有效的手段,大大提高了疗效,但应把握治疗时机和治疗次数,及早治疗,严密观察病情变化,使病人得到及时救治。     

Expression of human leucocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is associated with prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

In a previous study, we demonstrated that human leucocyte antigen G (HLA-G) was aberrantly expressed in a majority of primary colorectal carcinomas, and that the detection of HLA-G expression had a strong and independent prognostic value in human colorectal cancer. In the current study, we look into whether the aberrant expression of HLA-G is also related to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of HLA-G was investigated immunohistochemically in 106 patients with NSCLC. The correlation between HLA-G status and various clinicopathological parameters was analysed. As well, the level of HLA-G expression was also compared to the survival rate of patients with NSCLC. In total, we found that in 75% (79/106) of the primary site of NSCLC, an aberrant HLA-G expression was detected. However, this expression was not observed in the normal lung tissues. HLA-G expression in NSCLC was significantly correlated with lymph nodal metastasis, clinical stages of the disease, and host immune response (P = 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.027, respectively). Patients with HLA-G positive tumours had a significantly shorter survival time than those with tumours that were HLA-G negative (P = 0.001). In addition, through multivariate analysis, HLA-G exhibited an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.01, relative risk 4.09; 95% confidence interval 1.40-11.9). All in all, our results indicate that the expression of HLA-G is a characteristic feature of NSCLC, and they suggest that immunostaining by anti-HLA-G antibodies may be a potentially useful prognostic indicator.     

经腹全肝血流阻断巨大肝肿瘤切除术血液动力学的调控

目的　探讨全肝血流阻断 (THVE)巨大肝肿瘤切除术围麻醉期血液动力学的调控措施。方法　 10例全肝血流阻断下巨大肝肿瘤切除术病人 ,用多巴胺 (3～ 5 μg·kg- 1· min- 1 )支持心血管功能 ,阻断前输血补液 ,提高中心静脉压至 1.2 k Pa水平 ,采用Swan- Ganz导管技术监测围麻醉期血液动力学变化。结果　肝血流阻断后 ,CVP下降 (2 7.6 % ) ,HR增快 ,SVRI增加 (2 4.3% ) ,CI(17.8% )和 L VSWI(2 2 .6 % )明显下降 ,MAP仅下降 14.3% ,以阻断 5 min为甚 ,肝血流开放后 ,各参数均恢复稳定。结论　小剂量多巴胺支持循环 ,阻断前提高 CVP,阻断后快速输血补液 ,是防止 THVE引起的血液动力学剧变的有效措施