It was verified that Fushe under current medical use was actually Agkistrod on halys (pallas ),which is different from A.acutus (Guentler) belonging to crotalinas, viperidae as described in works of Chinese materia medica. Microscopic characteristies of the raw animal was provided to furnish a guide for the differentiation of the two medical commodities.

Objective To study the effect of chronic iodine supplement on thyroid of iodine-deficient rats.Methods Iodine-deficient rat models were made by giving 4- week-old rats iodine-deficient fodder for 3 months.These iodine-deficient rats were then supplemented for 8 months 1-,3- and 6- fold iodine which corresponded to the 3 levels of iodine intake found in our epidemiological study in 3 rural communities.Then changes of thyroid after iodine supplement were observed.Results After supplement of 1-,3- and 6- fold iodine to iodine-deficient rats for 8 months,thyroid relative weight did not recover,and iodine accumulated in thyroid.The ultrastructure injuries of swelling mitochondria and dilating endoplasmic reticulum in epithelial cells of iodine-deficient thyroid did not recover,but became worse with iodine supplement increase.Conclusion Iodine supplement alone can not correct the injuries resulting from iodine deficiency;moreover,a sub-pathological state might occur.

Objective:To explore the value of preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) in predicting distant metastasis (DM) at the time of 131I therapy in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods:From January 2016 to March 2020, 54 children and adolescents who underwent total thyroidectomy due to DTC in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively reviewed and divided into 2 groups according to the presence of DM or not: M0 group( n=29, 10 males, 19 females, age (16.3±3.8) years) and M1 group( n=25, 13 males, 12 females, age (12.4±4.3) years). Independent-sample t test, χ2 test (or Fisher′s exact test) and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the general characteristics between the two groups. According to status of regional lymph node (RLN) at the time of 131I therapy, the two groups were further divided into M1RLN+ ( n=8) and M1RLN-( n=17), M0RLN+ ( n=5) and M0RLN-( n=24) subgroups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the different ps-Tg levels between M0 and M1, M1RLN+ and M1RLN-, as well as M0RLN+ and M0RLN-groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to obtain a cut-off value of ps-Tg as a predictor of DM. Results:Patients with DM tended to have higher ps-Tg level (medians: 406.80 μg/L vs 7.90 μg/L, U=690.000, P<0.001), younger age ( t=-3.559, P=0.001), larger tumor size ( t=3.523, P=0.001), more advanced T stage ( U=506.500, P=0.010) and more multifocality( P=0.013) in comparison with those without DM. Though ps-Tg did not significantly differ between M1RLN+ group and M1RLN-group ( U=98.500, P>0.05) or between M0RLN+ group and M0RLN-group ( U=63.000, P>0.05), the two RLN+ groups tended to hold higher medians than the two RLN-groups (18.05 vs 5.71 μg/L; 1 698.50 vs 216.40 μg/L). In order to avoid the possible influence on the ps-Tg cut-off value, 13 RLN+ samples were removed, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.946 (95% CI: 0.883-1.000). The ps-Tg level of 55.87 μg/L was established as the optimal cut-off value to distinguish M0RLN- from M1RLN-, with the sensitivity and specificity of 14/17 and 95.8%(23/24), respectively. Conclusion:Ps-Tg holds a high predictive value in identifying DM, which may be of great help in avoiding inadequate 131I treatment in children and adolescents with metastatic DTC ignored by radiological examinations.

Objective To explore feasibility of the Chinese version of MoCA for the detection of vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia (VaCIND) and control in a cross-sectional study. Methods One hundred and three Chinese Han were assessed by the MoCA and MMSE. 64 met criteria for VaCIND and 39 were considered cognitively normal. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated using the recommended cut-off scores,and ROC curve analyses were performed to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity. Results No differences were found between groups on age,gender,education degrees. According to their MoCA scores,cognitive impairments including memory,visuospatial, executive function, attention, language, and orientation sub-scores in VaCIND ((0.44 ± 0.96), (2.13 ±1.40), (1.90 ±1.02), (4.61 ±1.41), (4.23 ±1.40), (5.38 ±1.15)) significantly decreased compared with that in controls((2.92 ± 1.42) ,(3.16 ± 1.08) ,(3.32 ± 1.07) ,(5. 87 ±0.41) ,(5.34 ±0.75), (5.79 ±0. 70)) (P<0. 05). The MMSE scale was insensitive to cognitive impairment as compared with MoCA scale. Using cut-off score of 24,the MoCA exhibited excellent sensitivity (0.923) and specificity (0.906). Conclusion MoCA is a more sensitive instrument than the MMSE for the detection of VaCIND and warrants further investigation regarding its applicability in large group and varying ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of CPAP therapy on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with moderate or severe OSAHS. METHOD: Seventy-two patients diagnosed as OSAHS by polysomnography (PSG) were assigned to receive CPAP therapy for 3 months. At baseline and three months after treatment patients underwent polysomnography (PSG). Analyze the results of PSG, sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, quality of life and the general well-being. RESULT: The lowest average oxygen saturation and the average blood oxygen saturation improved significantly after CPAP therapy, and the longest sleep apnea time and AHI decreased obviously (P < 0.01). Except body pain, the other seven dimensions of SF-36 improved obviously (P < 0.01); ESS, PSQI and GWB also improved (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION For patients with moderate or severe OSAHS, CPAP therapy can obviously improve the sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, improve patients' life quality and the general well-being.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Oximetry ; Polysomnography ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy

Objective To determine the factors that influence the development of abnormal thyrotropin (TSH) level in an euthyroid population.Methods We conducted a follow-up study in 3 communities with different iodine status.Of the 3403 euthyroid subjects at baseline screened in 1999,80.1% ( n = 2727 ) was visited and sampled in 2004 for measuring TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).Results Iodine status in the 3 communities were stable.Decreased TSH level( <0.3 mU/L) developed in 2.5% (n =68) of sampled subjects,while raised TSH level( > 4.8 mU/L) in 2.4% (n = 64).A logistic analysis showed that risk factors for developing decreased TSH level included positive conversion of TPOAb (OR = 5.5 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and in 2004 ( OR = 4.0),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7) and TSH < 1.0 mU/L in 1999 ( OR = 2.6).Risk factors involved in developing raised TSH level included iodine status of Zhangwu community ( OR = 4.1 ),iodine status of Huanghua community ( OR = 3.9),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and 2004 (OR =3.6),positive conversion of TPOAb (OR =2.7) and TSH > 1.9 mU/L in 1999 (OR = 2.6 ).Conclusions Exposure to long-term iodine excess imposes danger of developing hypothyroidism.The risk will be even higher when exposing to iodine adequacy after correction of iodine deficiency.An interval between 1.0 and 1.9 mU/L of TSH level was optimul with the least probability of developing abnormal TSH level.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in a community which did not use iodized salt.

METHODSThe survey was conducted in Panshan, Liaoning Province. 1 103 inhabitants aged 14 years or more attended the examinations, which included questionnaire, physical examination and serum analysis. Iodine in the urine and thyroid B ultrasound examination were also conducted.

RESULTSThe prevalence of overt hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism was 16.3 per thousand and 2.7 per thousand, respectively. Subclinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were detected in 37.2 per thousand and 9.1 per thousand of the subjects, respectively. Serum autoantibodies to thyroid were detected in 10.9% of the entire population. The prevalence of goiter was 20.7% (diffuse goiter 16.8% and nodular goiter 3.9%).

CONCLUSIONIn the iodine deficient areas, perhaps autoimmununization is not only related to the development of goiter but is also the main cause of subclinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autoantibodies ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Goiter ; epidemiology ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; epidemiology ; Hypothyroidism ; epidemiology ; Iodine ; deficiency ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Residence Characteristics ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; Thyroid Diseases ; epidemiology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Thyroid Nodule ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the performance of MRI and its diagnostic value for ligament injuries of knee joint.

METHODSForm June 2008 to February 2010, the MRI of 74 patients with ligament injuries of knee joint were retrospectively analyzed. There were 47 males and 27 females in the group, which course was from 2 h to 10 d, with an average age of 37.3 years (ranged from 12 to 76). The clinical symptom included knee swelling, pain, joint instability, extension-flexion movement disorder. The physical examination showed valgus test or drawer test positive, and tenderness of medial knee positive.

RESULTSThere were ligament injuies in 74 cases, among them, 19 cases were anterior cruciate ligament (25.7%),18 were posterior cruciate ligament (24.3%), 13 were lateral collateral ligament (17.6%), 24 were medial collateral (32.4%), the ligament of 12 cases were completely broken (included 8 cases cruciate ligament and 4 cases collateral ligament presented as discontinued signals of the ligament, and swelling and thickening of the ligament with medium signal in PDWI and high signal intensity in T2WI and in SPIR). The MRI of 62 patients with partial longitudinal tearing ligaments showed continuity, swelling and thickening of the ligaments with medium signal in PDWI and high signal intensity in T2WI and in SPIR. Forty-four cases were examined with surgery and arthroscopy, 41 ligaments were accorded with MRI, diagnosis rate of MRI was 95%.

CONCLUSIONMRI can accurately diagnose the ligament injuries of knee joint,which is an ideal technique in the diagnosis of ligament injuries of knee joint, and should be used as a routine examining method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; diagnosis ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; Ligaments ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; injuries ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sub-acute oral effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in blood, liver, intestine, and colon in rats. METHODS: Twenty four 4-week-old clean-grade Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly devided into 4 groups by body weight (n=6, control, low, middle, and high), in which the rats were orally exposed to TiO₂ nanoparticles at doses of 0, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 consecutive days separately. Food intake, body weight and abnormal behaviors during the experiment were recorded. The rats were euthanized on the 29th day. The blood was collected via abdominal aortic method and centrifuged to collect the serum. Tissues from liver, intestine and colon were collected and homogenated. Then enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microwell plate methods were used to detect oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total mercapto (T-SH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), malomdialdehvde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the serum, liver, intestine and colon in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, no significant differences in body weight, food intake and organ coefficients were observed in all the three groups after TiO₂ gavage. No significant changes in GSH, GSH-Px, T-SH, and IL-6 were observed. Compared with the control group, significant increase of SOD activity in serum in high dose group, signi-ficant increase of GSSG concentration in intestine in middle and high dose group and significant increase of MDA concentration in liver in low and high dose group were observed. Compared with the control group, a significant increase of TNF-α in liver in middle and high dose group was observed. CONCLUSION TiO₂ nanoparticle can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in blood, increase oxidative biomarkers in liver and intestine, increase inflammatory cytokines in liver in rats after a 28-day sub-acute orally administration. Among blood, liver, intestine, and colon, liver is most sensitive to the toxicity induced by TiO₂ nanoparticles, followed by intestine, blood, and colon in sequence.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Biomarkers ; Cytokines ; Nanoparticles ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between chronic periodontitis and the genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and estrogen receptor gene.

METHODSClinical parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment loss, sulcus bleeding index and tooth movement were measured by fluoride probe. Genomic DNA from peripheral venous blood was extracted with saturant sodium chloride, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to examine the Apa I, Bsm I, Taq I polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor genes and the Xba I and Pvu II polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor genes. The results were analyzed by Z-score test and mean square analysis.

RESULTSForty-three point four percent of chronic periodontitis patients took vitamin D receptor BB genotype, the rate in healthy controls was 30.0%. 39.6% of chronic periodontitis patients took estrogen receptor XX genotype, the rate in healthy controls was 20.0%. The people who took BBXX genotype had the worst periodontal conditions among all chronic periodontitis patients.

CONCLUSIONSVitamin D receptor allele B and estrogen receptor allele X are susceptible alleles for chronic periodontitis. The synergistic effects of the two receptor susceptible alleles may promote chronic periodontitis.

Adult ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Periodontitis ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; Young Adult