Acute toxicity of berberine and its correlation with the blood concentration in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the LD₅₀ (median lethal dosage) of berberine (BBR) through three different routes of injection in mice: intravenous (IV) injection, intraperitoneal (IP) injection, and intragastric (IG) oral administration. The concentration of BBR in blood from their IG doses (10.4, 20.8, 41.6, and 83.2 g/kg) and the content relationship of BBR among different injections were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The LD₅₀ of BBR from IV and IP injections is 9.0386 and 57.6103 mg/kg, respectively; but no LD₅₀ was found in the IG group. A significant difference in bioavailability was observed between the different routes. Furthermore, the concentration of BBR in the blood from different IG doses was also significantly different. However, we discovered an interesting phenomenon indicating that the absorption of BBR by oral administration has a limit, therefore, explaining the difficulty in obtaining an LD₅₀ of BBR for IG injection. From the analysis of BBR content in blood after various administrations, we hypothesized that not only does the concentration of BBR in blood contribute to its acute toxicity, but also the routes of administration may be an important facet that affects this toxicity evaluation.     

Clinically aggressive primary solid pseudopapillary tumor of the ovary in a 45-year-old woman

We report the first case of primary solid pseudopapillary tumor of the ovary with aggressive behavior and fatal outcome in a 45-year-old woman. The patient presented with weight loss, decrease of appetite, and abdominal bloating for the last several weeks. Computed tomography scan revealed an ovarian mass, omental caking, complex ascites, and 2 hepatic lesions. The pancreas was unremarkable. Grossly, the ovarian mass showed severe capsular adhesion, and the cut surface was cystic and solid. On histologic examination, the tumor was composed of diffuse solid pseudopapillary and pseudocystic patterns. The neoplastic cells were uniform and round with very dispersed chromatin. The cytoplasm was faintly pink. There was mild atypia, but the mitotic rate was as high as 62 per 50 high-power field, and the Ki-67 was elevated at 20%. The tumor exhibited severe necrosis. Numerous foci of lymphovascular invasion were also seen. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (focal) and for β-catenin (cytoplasmic and nuclear patterns). They were negative for chromogranin, synaptophysin, thyroglobulin, calcitonin, hepatocyte-paraffin 1, epithelial membrane antigen, calretinin, and α-inhibin. Electron microscopic study revealed nests of tumor cells with oval nuclei. The cytoplasm contained numerous pleomorphic mitochondria interspersed among short strands of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The tumor involved the fallopian tube, omentum, cul-de-sac, and abdominal wall. The pelvic washing was also positive for tumor cells. Despite chemotherapy, the patient's condition had worsened, and she died of her disease 8 months after the initial diagnosis. We discuss the differential diagnosis of this tumor and the hypothesis of its origin.     

ImmuKnowTM-Cylex检测技术在肾移植术后重症肺炎中的应用研究

目的 探讨ImmuKnowTM-Cylex检测技术能否作为肾移植术后发生肺部感染的预警指标.方法 收集17例肾移植受者的肝素钠抗凝全血46份,通过测量CD4+T细胞刺激后释放的ATP浓度来判定机体细胞免疫水平.结果 肾移植术后重症肺炎发生前(移植术后两周内)组CD4+T细胞ATP值为(383.47±186.51)ng/...     

Primary pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare neoplasm of vascular endothelial origin. It can develop in any tissue, but it occurs primarily in the soft tissue, liver, and rarely in the lung. Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma can present in the thorax in various manifestations. In the typical pulmonary forms, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma presents as either a solitary nodule, or more often as multiple, small nodules. Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma involving the pleural space occurs in patients with disseminated disease [1, 2]. We present a case of primary pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.     

Fragile X expression increased by low cell-culture density

The effect of cell density on expression of fra(X) was studied. A lymphoblast cell line from one fra(X) individual and whole blood from another individual was tested at various cell densities using RPMI-1640 with FUdR (0.1 microM) 24 hrs before harvest. Densities from 0.25 X 10(5) to 2 X 10(6) cells/ml were tested. Chromosomes were G-banded and analyzed for fra(X) frequency. Increased density caused fra(X) frequency to decline in lymphoblasts and whole blood. In the established line low density fra(X) frequency was 51.2% and decreased to 6.5% at the high density. In blood fra(X) frequency was 34.7% at low density and decreased to 18% fra(X) in high density. We suspect that decay of the FUdR effect may explain the results. Our results suggest that to maximize fra(X) frequency, cultures should be inititated at low density. This may be important in analysis of low-percentage fra(X) patients, nonexpressing female carriers, and obligate nonpenetrant males.     

Fragile X chromosome frequency is consistent temporally and within replicate cultures

Fragile X frequencies differ widely between different fra(X)-positive individuals. The basis for this variation is unknown, but may reflect genetic differences or unknown environmental factors. To determine more fully the individual and familial variation in fra(X) frequencies, we studied 15 individuals. The present study showed that fra(X) frequency, with few exceptions, was consistent for the same individual both over time and within replicate cultures. This confirms previous observations by others on the consistency of fra(X) expression by others, and indicates the extent of expected variability within replicate cultures. Consideration of this variability should enable improved fra(X) identification.     

双缝合锚钉技术双束解剖重建内侧髌股韧带 治疗青少年髌股关节不稳定

目的：探讨双缝合锚钉技术双束解剖重建内侧髌股韧带治疗青少年髌股关节不稳定的临床疗效。方法： 2013年1月至2014年12月对25例青少年髌股关节不稳定患者行双缝合锚钉技术双束解剖重建内侧髌股韧带。髌骨侧采 用2枚带线锚钉固定移植物,同时行髌骨侧止点加强缝合,关节镜下调节张力后采用界面挤压螺钉固定移植物于股 骨隧道。术后随访,内容包括患者满意度、髌骨外推恐惧试验、再脱位率、CT评价骨道位置及髌骨倾斜角,采用 Lysholm,Tegner和Kujala评分评价患侧膝关节功能。结果：25例患者均得到随访,随访20~40(平均24)个月。髌骨恐惧 试验均为阴性,无1例感染、再脱位及髌骨骨折。CT显示重建骨隧道位置良好,髌骨倾斜角术前为21.6°±2.3°,术后为 10.5°±1.6°;Lysholm评分术前为51.7±5.3,术后为93.8±6.5;Tegner评分术前为4.1±1.1,术后为5.5±0.6;Kujala主观评分术 前为53.5±6.4,术后为94.6±4.3,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：双缝合锚钉技术双束解剖重建内侧髌股韧带治 疗青少年髌股关节不稳定是一种安全、有效和微创的手术方法。