维吾尔药小茴香对肝纤维化大鼠胶原纤维的影响

目的:观察维吾尔药小茴香对实验性大鼠肝纤维化的预防作用,初步探讨其抗肝纤维化作用及其机制.方法:健康Wistar大鼠48只,随机分为正常对照组、肝纤维化模型组、维吾尔药小茴香组、秋水仙碱组,除正常对照组外,其它各组均腹腔注射40%的四氯化碳(CCL4)石蜡油造模剂,药物干预组造模同时分别给予维吾尔药小茴香和秋水仙碱,持续6周.各组大鼠留取肝组织行病理学观察和组织化学染色.结果:小茴香可显著降低大鼠肝组织中的胶原纤维量(P<0.05),小茴香组大鼠肝纤维化程度较模型组明显改善(P<0.05).结论:维吾尔药小茴香可降低肝脏胶原纤维的增生,具有明显的抗肝纤维化作用.     

In vitro culture and differentiation of rat embryonic midbrain-derived neural stem cells

BACKGROUND: Midbrain-derived neural stem cells (mNSCs) can differentiate into functional mature dopamincrgic neurons. The mNSCs are considered the ideal choice for cell therapy of Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVE: To isolate rat embryonic mNSCs and to observe the differentiation characteristics of mNSCs induced by cell growth-promoting factors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro cell culture study based on the molecular biology of nerve cells was carried out at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital (China) from March to November 2007. MATERIALS: Sprague Dawley rats at embryonic day 14 were used in this study. Nestin antibody, β-Ⅲ tubulin antibody, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody and cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) antibody were provided by Abeam; DMEM/F12 medium and N2 supplement were provided by Invitrogen; epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) were provided by R＆D Systems. METHODS: The ventral mesencephalon was dissected from embryonic day 14 rat embryos. By trypsin digestion and mechanical separation, the brain tissue was triturated into a fine single-cell suspension. The cells were cultured in 5 mL serum-free medium containing DMEM/Fl2, 1% N2 supplement, 20 ng/mL EGF and FGF2. The mNSCs at the third generation were coated with 10 μg/mL polylysine and induced to differentiate in the DMEM/Fl2 supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum and 1% N2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The neural spheres of the third passage were identified by nestin immunofluorescence; at the same time, the cells were induced to differentiate, and the types of differentiated cell were identified by immunofluorescence for βⅢ tubulin, GFAP and CNPase. RESULTS: Seven days after primary culture, a great many neurospheres could be obtained by successive pasage. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the neurospheres were nestin positive, and after differentiation, the cells expressed GFAP, CNPase and β -Ⅲ-tubulin. CONCLUSION: Embryonic day 14 rat mNSCs can differentiate into neuron-like cells and glial cells following induction by EGF, FGF2 and N2 additive.     

Mediastinitis and mediastinitis-like symptoms associated with mal-positioning of a Port-A catheter

Mediastinitis is a life-threatening condition and would appear to have been rarely reported as arising as a central-venous catheter-associated complication. Here we report on one cancer patient featuring a Port-A catheter tip positioned within the innominate vein, who developed mediastinitis and mediastinitis-like symptoms subsequent to chemotherapeutic-agent infusion through this catheter. The relevant literature pertaining to this condition was reviewed, and the possible pathophysiology of the condition was discussed.     

NSAID-induced deleterious effects on the proximal and mid small bowel in seronegative spondyloarthropathy patients

AIM:To investigate the small bowel of seronegative spondyloarthropathy(SpA) patients in order to ascertain the presence of mucosal lesions.METHODS:Between January 2008 and June 2010,54 consecutive patients were enrolled and submitted to avideo capsule endoscopy(VCE) examination.Historyand demographic data were taken,as well as the history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID) consumption.After reading each VCE recording,a capsule endoscopy scoring index for small bowel mucosal inflammatory change(L...     

冠心病Q—T离散度与△ST／△HR指数关系的研究

为探讨Q-T离散度(Q-T_d和Q-T_(ed)与凸ΔST/ΔHR指数的关系,观察57例平板运动试验阳性的冠心病患者(冠心病组)和60例运动试验阴性者(对照组)的心电图,比较运动前后Q-T_d和Q-T_(ed)及其与ΔST/ΔHR指数的关系.结果显示:两组运动前Q-T_d(20.35±10.34ms比16.17±10.27ms)、Q-T_(ed)(22.42±11.62ms比17.98±11.62ms)差异均有显著意义(P<0.05);两组运动后Q-T_d(22.11±9.40ms比15.17±94.8ms)、Q-T_(ed)(32.75±14.70ms比25.44±14.87ms)差异均有非常显著意义(P<0.01).冠心病组ΔST/ΔHR指数2.80±1.49μV/次/min,与运动前Q-T_d几和Q-T_(ed)均无关(P>0.05),与运动后Q-T_d和Q-T_(ed)均呈高度正相关(P<0.01).提示运动诱发的心肌缺血是加重心室肌复极不均一的重要因素,Q-T_d、Q-T_(ed)、ΔST/ΔHR指数可作为评定心电图运动试验心肌缺血严重程度的指标.     

VEGF mRNA expression in jugulotympanic paraganglioma

ZHANG X., XU W., SUN J. & ZHANG. K. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care 19 , 816–819
VEGF mRNA expression in jugulotympanic paraganglioma The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are essential regulators of angiogenesis and vascular permeability. VEGF protein was found in the jugulotympanic paraganglioma, but it wasn't confirmed on mRNA level. Our aim of this study is the mRNA expression of VEGF in jugulotympanic paraganglioma. We chose six cases of primary jugulotympanic paraganglioma wax specimen by hybridisation in situ. It suggested that VEGF mRNA had significant expression in the tumour cytoplasm of jugulotympanic paraganglioma. The correlation is not yet clear. It could be suggested the higher degree of malignancy, the stronger expression of VEGF mRNA in cytoplasm, but not found in the cellular nucleus.     

Short‐ and long‐term survival of patients with metastatic solid cancer admitted to the intensive care unit: prognostic factors

CARUSO P., FERREIRA A.C., LAURIENZO C.E., TITTON L.N., DA SILVA MAIA TERABE D., CARNIELI D.S. & DEHEINZELIN D. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care 19 , 260–266
Short‐ and long‐term survival of patients with metastatic solid cancer admitted to the intensive care unit: prognostic factors Decisions for intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in patients with advanced cancer are complex, and the knowledge of survival rates and prognostic factors are essential to these decisions. Ours objectives were to describe the short‐ and long‐term survival of patients with metastatic solid cancer admitted to an ICU due to emergencies and to study the prognostic factors presented at ICU admission that could be associated with hospital mortality. We retrospectively analysed the charts of all patients with metastatic solid cancer admitted over a 1‐year period. This gave a study sample of 83 patients. The ICU, hospital, 1‐year and 2‐year survival rates were 55.4%, 28.9%, 12.0% and 2.4% respectively. Thrombocytopenia (odds ratio 26.2; P = 0.006) and simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) (odds ratio 1.09; P = 0.026) were independent factors associated with higher hospital mortality. In conclusion, the survival rates of patients with metastatic solid cancer admitted to the ICU due to emergencies were low, but of the same magnitude as other groups of cancer patients admitted to the ICU. The SAPS II score and thrombocytopenia on admission were associated with higher hospital mortality. The characteristics of the metastatic disease, such as number of organs with metastasis and central nervous system metastasis were not associated with the hospital mortality.     

Bedside ultrasound – experience in a palliative care unit

Little has been published on the use of imaging in palliative care. This paper discusses the use of 'in-house' ultrasound at the bedside in a specialist palliative care unit. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the potential uses of bedside ultrasound in the hospice population with consideration of length of stay and cost. A single operator scanned inpatients using ultrasound in the specialist palliative care unit. The majority of these scans were done to evaluate and mark complex ascites prior to paracentesis. Other indications included marking pleural fluid prior to chest drain insertion, evaluating renal appearances and imaging bladders. Scans were done in 40 patients over a 17-month period enabling subsequent successful paracentesis in 25. The reasons for other scans included renal failure, urinary obstruction and confirmation of clinical diagnosis of liver metastases. All scans were done on the day of admission. This paper provides an anecdotal experience in improving clinical care and convenience to patients and offers a potential tool for future evaluation as a bedside aid to clinical management. The results indicate a potential for a reduction in length of inpatient stay.     

The immigrant patient having widespread pain. Clinical findings by physicians in Swedish primary care

Purpose. Severe bilateral leg spasticity can cause severe symptoms and reduced quality of life in affected individuals. It is often unresponsive to treatment. The objective of this study was to review the effectiveness of intrathecal phenol in the treatment of severe bilateral leg spasticity.

Method. A retrospective case notes review of patients treated with intrathecal phenol by a rehabilitation service was performed. A simple rating scale based on comments in the case notes was used to identify changes in spasticity and treatment goals.

Results. Forty patients were identified as having been treated with intrathecal phenol over a 10-year period. All patients had improvements in their spasticity, 34 of which were rated as substantial or excellent. All patients (in whom the effect was documented), except one, had short-term improvement in the goals for treatment, 31 having substantial or excellent improvement. The effect was long lasting in many of the patients. Seven patients required repeat injections with similar outcomes. Seven patients experienced temporary side-effects.

Conclusion. Intrathecal phenol is a useful alternative in treating selected patients with chronic severe bilateral leg spasticity that is unresponsive to other treatments.