BACKGROUND: Inflammatory response is one of potential cellular mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia accelerates atherosclerosis. There are still many details need to be illuminated. TNFSF4 gene and interleukin (IL)-10 are two inflammatory factors related to atherosclerosis. But their correlation with hyperhomocysteinemia is seldom reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on expression of TNFSF4 gene and IL-10 in the monocytes cultured in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized control experiment in vitro was conducted from July to December in 2007 in the Pathophysiology Laboratory of West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medical Sciences of Sichuan University. MATERIALS: THP-1 monocytes were offered by the Pathophysiology Laboratory of West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medical Sciences of Sichuan University); Hcy, dexamethasone (Dex) and vitamin D3 (Vit D3) were all purchased from Sigma. METHODS: Cultured THP-1 monocytes were induced to macrophages by 0.1 ?mol/L phorbol myristate acetate, and the differentiated THP-1 macrophages were incubated with 200 ?mol/L Hcy for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. Then cell supernatant and lysate were collected as condition medium. Any other differentiated THP-1 macrophages were incubated with a combination of Dex and Vit D3 for 6 days, and then the condition mediums were added to incubate together for 24 hours. Cells were divided into blank control group, 200 ?mol/L Hcy group, Dex+Vit D3 group, 24-hour Hcy+Dex+Vit D3 group, 48-hour Hcy+Dex+Vit D3 group, and 72-hour Hcy+ Dex+Vit D3 group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression level of TNFSF4 mRNA was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression level of IL-10 protein was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group, no significant difference of TNFSF4 mRNA expression was found in the 24-hour Hcy group, while the expression level was significantly higher in 48-hour and 72-hour Hcy groups. Compared with Dex+Vit D3 group, the IL-10 expression of all Hcy+Dex+Vit D3 groups was significantly lower than that in the Dex+Vit D3 group. CONCLUSION: Hcy may increase TNFSF4 mRNA expression and decrease IL-10 expression in THP-1 macrophages.

Objective To segment brain magnetic resonance (MR) images corrupted by noises. Methods We presented a novel Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm for image segmentation. The algorithm was by modifying the objective function in the conventional FCM. Firstly,by using kernel method,the original Euclidean distance in the FCM was replaced by a kernel-induced distance. Then,a spatial penalty term was added to the objective function to compensate the influence of the neighboring pixels on the center pixel. Results Segmentation results on a four-class synthetic image corrupted by salt & pepper noise shows that the new algorithm is less speckled and smoother. The new algorithm is applied to simulation MR images and is shown to have less misclassification rate than the other FCM-based methods. Conclusion The results of experiments show that the proposed algorithm is more robust to noise than other FCM-based methods.

Objective To investigate the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on methylation status and mRNA expression of TNF superfamily member 4 (TNFSF4) gene in THP-1 macrophages. Methods Cultured THP-1 monocytes were induced to macrophages by 0.1 ?mol/L PMA treatment for 72 h, then the differentiated THP-1 macrophages were incubated with homocysteine (50-1 000 ?mol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. The status of methylation of TNFSF4 gene in THP-1 macrophages was analyzed by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR).The expression level of TNFSF4 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Results The MS-PCR results showed that the unmethylated bands gradually became stronger, and the methylated bands gradually became weaker along with the prolongation of treatment time and the increased Hcy concentrations. The 72-hour treatment with Hcy induced a complete demethylation in the promotor region of TNFSF4 gene, where left the only unmethylated bands. Meanwhile, the TNFSF4 mRNA expression was also increased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Hcy may contribute to atherogenesis by inducing demethylation in the promotion region of the TNFSF4 gene and increasing TNFSF4 expression in THP-1 macrophages.

Ligustrazine which has extensive pharmacological effects has been clinically used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,respiratory diseases,urinary diseases,cirrhosis,cancer,etc.Research of protective effects of Ligustrazine on spinal cord injury has recently increased year by year.Numerous clinical trials and animal experiments suggest that Ligustrazine can play a role on ischemic cerebrovascular disease, degenerative brain disease,epilepsy,spinal cord injury and so on,whose main mechanisms include inhibiting of apoptosis and inflammation,enhancing the body’s antioxidant level,improving hemorheology,increasing expression of neurofilament protein and neurotrophic factors,and regulating balance of the ion intracellular and extracellular.Through consulting the relevant literature since 2003,this article reviews the protective roles and mechanisms of Ligustrazine on cerebra and spinal cord injury for the past 10 years.

Objective To explore the effects of patient participation-based dietary intervention on nutritional status for patients with gastrectomy.Methods Fifty-two patients with gastrectomy were randomly assigned to the intervention group(n=26) and the control group(n=26).All patients were given general dietary guidance,and patients in the intervention group were provided patient participation-based dietary intervention(PPDI) as well.Height,body weight and body mass index(BMI) were recorded at baseline,2 weeks and 12 weeks after intervention,using PatientGenerated Subjective Global Assessment(PG-SGA),Diet-Related Symptom Scale,Adherence to Dietary Scale and a 3-day food diary.Results There was no obvious change in body weight and BMI before and after 12-week intervention,while outcomes in the control group gradually decreased.For time effect,there was significant difference in PG-SGA between two groups(P＜0.05).For between-group effect,there were significant differences in diet-related symptoms(P＜0.05),dietary intake(P＜0.05) and adherence to dietary(P＜0.05) between two groups.Conclusion Patient participation-based dietary intervention can improve nutritional status for patients with gastrectomy.

Hyperuricemia is closely associated with hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease.However,numerous studies have shown that as a natural antioxidant,uric acid has a strong antioxidant effect.It can enhance the body's overall antioxidant capacity,scavenge free radicals in tissue,decrease the level of oxidative stress,and improve the outcomes in patients with stroke.It may provide a new target for the treatment of stroke through investigating the neuroprotective effect of uric acid on ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the situation of cognitive demands for disease of discharged patients with T tube,in order to adopt a more rational and effective interventions to meet the needs of patients.Methods 60 patients were investigated with the questionnaire survey designed to gauge patients'cognitive demands for disease and health knowledge.Results The patients had higher cognitive demands for T tube retention time,how to make self-observation and influence of T tube retention on normal work and life,among these patients,they laid different particular emphasis to some items between different sexes.Conclusions Nurses can provide patients with comprehensive,prioritized and individualized health guidance according to cognitive demands of patients,so that the health education quality and work efficiency can be improved.

0.05). Sixteen patients in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group were followed up for a mean of 42.9 months (20-88 months), during which no recurrence was detected. In the minithoracotomy group, 18 patients received an 18-to 71-month follow-up (mean, 41.2 months), none of them had recurrence. Conclusions The outcomes of both the operations are satisfying for middle-aged or elderly patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. However, video-assisted thoracic surgery should be the first choice.

Objective To report our experience on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS)and perioperative management for patients over 70 years old.Methods From May 1998 to May 2008,78 patients over 70 years old were treated by VATS.Operative risk was evaluated by measuring forced expiratory volume in first second(FEV1),diffuse capacity of carbon monoxide(DLCO),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and artery blood gas analysis and exercise test before the operation.VATS(n=46)or video-assisted minithoracotmy(n=32)was carried out under general anesthesia with a double-lumen tube.Extubation was delayed in 11 patients after the procedures and mechanical ventilation was employed to smooth anesthesia recovery.Results Postoperative pathological examination showed primary lung cancer in 20 cases,benign pulmonary lesions in 26,pleural mesothelioma in 3,malignant pleural metastasis in 5,empyema in 5,benign mediastinal tumor in 15,hiatal hernia in 3,and esophageal leiomyoma in 1.Postoperative morbidity was 33.3%(26/78)in this series,none of the patients died during the operation;the perioperative mortality was 2.6%(2/78).Conclusions VATS is safe for elderly patients.Satisfying outcomes can be achieved through strict preoperative evaluation,proper operative method and active management for postoperative complications.

Objective To explore the effect of token on the pain and compliance of wound care of postoperative children with hypospadias, and provide evidence for the pain management and psycho-behavior intervention of children. Methods Selected 80 cases of hypospadias and they were assigned to the experience group and the control group. The control group was guided by conventional nursing intervention method while the experience group was guided by token intervention. Compare the pain score and compliance of two groups. Results The pain score of the experience group were (2.65±1.89), (2.40± 1.73), (2.10±1.43) points, the control group were (4.10±2.52), (3.35±2.09), (2.90±1.75) points. There were significant differences between the two groups (t=2.912, 2.399,- 2.239, all P<0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups for the compliance (χ2=5.415, 7.587, 9.372, all P<0.05). Conclusion Token can relief the pain of wound care of postoperative children with hypospadias, increase the compliance of wound care of the children.