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BACKGROUND:Dynamic hip screws have been considered as a classic method for intertrochanteric fracture. However, migration of the hip screw resulting in cut-out of the femoral head remains the most common mechanical failure, which requires secondary surgery. OBJECTIVE:On the basis of the traditional dynamic hip screw, we modified the lag screw, designed new internal fixation system as cemented dynamic hip screws to explore the feasibility and the biomechanical properties for the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. METHODS:A total of 24 hip samples were harvested from fresh cadavers with osteoporosis. Bone density was measured. According to the standards, the specimens were made into intertrochanteric fracture models of AO31-A1 type. Of each specimen, one side implanted with cemented dynamic hip screws served as experimental group, and another side implanted with traditional dynamic hip screw served as control group. Axial compression, twisting and fatigue load biomechanics were tested. Their biomechanical functions were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Stress intensity, axial stiffness and horizontal shear stiffness were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). At torsion angle of 3°, torsional moment was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Fatigue load was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Results suggested that cemented dynamic hip screw internal fixation system in the treatment of senile osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture can effectively enhance the hip screw holding force and prevent femoral cutting. Biomechanical property, stiffness, endurance resistance and stability of cemented dynamic hip screw are better than traditional dynamic hip screw.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of cadmium on the expression of estrogen receptor( ER) and miRAN-155,miRAN-200 c in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. METHODS: MCF-7cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into fulvestrant( ICI182780,ICI) group and non-ICI group. The non-ICI group was treated with cadmium chloride(Cd Cl2) at the final concentrations of 0. 0,2. 5,5. 0 and 10. 0 μmol/L for 24 hours. The ICI group was pretreated at a concentration of 1. 0 μmol/L for 12 hours,and then treated with Cd Cl2 at the final concentrations 0. 0,2. 5,5. 0 and 10. 0μmol/L for 24 hours. The cell proliferation activity was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Flow cytometry was used to measured cell apoptosis. Western blot was applied to measure the relative expression of ERα and ERβ protein,and the relative expression of miRNA-155 and miRNA-200 c were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The proliferation rates of MCF-7 cells in 2. 5,5. 0 and 10. 0 μmol/L Cd Cl2 groups were significantly decreased than the 0. 0 μmol/L Cd Cl2 group( P < 0. 05). The proliferation rate in ICI group was lower than that of the non-ICI group( P < 0. 05). When Cd Cl2 concentration was 2. 5,5. 0 and 10. 0 μmol/L,the apoptosis rate of MCF-7 cells in non-ICI group increased compared with those cells without exposure to Cd Cl2( P < 0. 05). The relative expression of ERα,ERβ,miRNA-155 and miRNA-200 c increased( P < 0. 05). The proliferation of MCF-7 cells in ICI group decreased( P < 0. 05),and the relative apoptosis rate increased( P < 0. 05); and the relative expression of ERαand ERβ increased( P < 0. 05),the relative expression of miRNA-155 and miRNA-200 c decreased( P < 0. 05). When treated without Cd Cl2,the apoptosis rate of the ICI group increased compared with non-ICI group(P < 0. 05),the relative expression of ERα and ERβ decreased( P < 0. 05),and the relative expression of miRNA-155 and miRNA-200 c were increased( P < 0. 05). When Cd Cl2 concentration was 2. 5,5. 0 and 10. 0 μmol/L,the apoptosis rate and the relative expression of ERα,ERβ,miRNA-155 and miRNA-200 c decreased compared with the non-ICI group treated with same dose Cd Cl2(P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Cadmium can induce cell apoptosis and increase expression of miRNAs through the ER signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Astragalus injection (AI) combined with chemotherapy on quality of life (QOF) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung caner (NSCLC).

METHODSSixty-NSCLC patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 30, treated with AI combined with chemotherapy) and the control group (n = 30, treated with chemotherapy alone). Chemotherapy of MVP protocol was applied to both groups. AI was supplemented to the treated group by intravenous dripping 60 ml per day. Treatment of 21-28 days as one treatment cycle, and 2-3 treatment cycles were applied.

RESULTSThe effective rate in the treated group was 40.0% and in the control group was 36.7%, the mean remission rate in the treated and control group was 5.4 months and 3.3 months, the median survival period 11 months and 7 months, and the 1-year survival rate 46.75% and 30.0%, respectively, the differences of these indexes between the two groups were all significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the clinical improving rate and QOF elevation rate in the treated group was 80.4% and 43.3%, as compared with those in the control group (50.0% and 23.3% respectively), the difference was also significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAI combined with chemotherapy can significantly improve the QOF in NSCLC patients of advanced stage.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycins ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Vinblastine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of Nuanxin Capsule (NXC) in treating patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODSAdopting the randomized, positive controlled, double-blinded design, 150 CHF patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control group equally, they were treated with optimal western medical therapeutic scheme in combining respectively with NXC and placebo for 24 weeks. The indices for effectiveness and safety evaluation, such as Chinese medicine syndrome, grade of heart function, myocardial contraction, as well as the re-hospitalization rate and mortality, were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate on heart function in the treatment group and the control group was 78.87% and 64.38% respectively, that on Chinese medicine syndrome was 85.9% and 63.0% respectively, comparisons of the two indices between the two groups all showed significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). And a better efficacy for improving patients' cardiac contraction function and quality of life was shown in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The re-hospitalization rates in them were 23.9% and 53.4% respectively (P < 0.05), and 22.54% and 42.5% of the re-hospitalized patients had attack of acute heart failure, a significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mortality in them was 2.90% and 8.95% respectively, showing no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). No obvious adverse effect was found in both groups.

CONCLUSIONSNXC could improve the heart function of patients, it has obvious curative effect and good safety in treating chronic heart failure.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the alteration of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted MR imaging (MR-DWI) of liver fibrosis and its pathological basis in rabbits.

METHODSFive rabbits in the control group and 22 with experimental liver fibrosis induced by transperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were examined with MR-DWI. Diffusion-weighted SE EPI sequence with a relatively high b factor (b=600 s/mm2) was used to measure the ADC. The mean values of ADC were compared among the rabbits in different stages of liver fibrosis and analyzed in relation to the pathological findings.

RESULTSThe mean ADC value decreased significantly with increased severity of liver fibrosis (P<0.05). Pathologically, the amount and extension of fibrotic matrix increased, and the hepatic necroinflammation worsened with the progression of the liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONThe ADC value decreases with the progression of liver fibrosis possibly as the result of water diffusion limitation due to increased fibrous tissue in the liver and abnormal water diffusion within the intracellular and extracellular spaces.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate left ventricular function in newborn infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODSForty newborn infants of mother with GDM (GDM group) and forty normal newborn infants (control group) were enrolled in this study. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was used to measure interventricular septal thickness, posterior left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction in both groups. Left ventricular rotation and torsion were evaluated for all participants.

RESULTSInterventricular septal thickness in the GDM group was much higher than in the control group (0.45±0.06 mm vs 0.34±0.05 mm; P<0.05). Posterior left ventricular wall thickness in the GDM group was also higher than in the control group (0.45±0.17 mm vs 0.31±0.02 mm; P<0.05). There was no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups (P>0.05). Peak subendocardial rotation, peak subepicardial rotation, peak bulk rotation and peak mural torsion were higher in the GDM group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCardiac function may be impaired in newborn infants of mothers with GDM, with changes in left ventricular shape and abnormalities of left ventricular rotation and torsion. However, infants have a normal ventricular blood ejection under the cardiac compensation. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging technique can be used for early detection of left ventricular function.

Diabetes, Gestational ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUNDNeural stem cells (NSCs) not only are essential to cell replacement therapy and transplantation in clinical settings, but also provide a unique model for the research into neurogenesis and epigenesis. However, little attention has been paid to the electrophysiological characterization of NSC development. This work aimed to identify whether the morphological neuronal differentiation process in NSCs included changes in the electrophysiological properties of transient A-type K(+) currents (I(A)).

METHODSNSCs were isolated from early postnatal rat hippocampus and were multiplied in basic serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor. Potassium currents were investigated and compared using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively.

RESULTSCompared with NSC-derived neurons, cloned NSCs (cNSCs) had a more positive resting membrane potential, a higher input resistance, and a lower membrane capacitance. Part of cNSCs and NSC-derived neurons possessed both delayed-rectifier K(+) currents (I(DR)) and I(A), steady-state activation of I(A) in cNSCs (half-maximal activation at (21.34 +/- 4.37) mV) occurred at a more positive voltage than in NSC-derived neurons at 1-6 days in vitro (half-maximal activation at (12.85 +/- 4.19) mV).

CONCLUSIONSOur research revealed a developmental up-regulation of the I(A) component during differentiation of postnatal NSCs. Together with the marked developmental up-regulation of I(DR) in vitro neuronal differentiation we have previously found, the voltage-gated potassium channels may participate in neuronal maturation process.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; physiology ; Neural Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIM AND METHODSTo observe the effect of temperature on burst opening of voltage-dependent K+ channels(Kv) in hypothalamic neurons by cell-attached mode of patch-clamp technique.

RESULTSWith temperature raising, the number of burst opening increased, so did its average burst duration. B1 and B2 raised from 1.5 ms and 6.6 ms at 32 degrees C to 8.1 ms and 83.2 ms (P < 0.05) respectively while the open number of inter-burst, from 1-2 to 8 (P < 0.05) too. Instead of SB, CB displayed predominantly a kind of burst opening.

CONCLUSIONMore burst opening of Kv in hypothalamic neurons with temperature raising, this was benefited to the body temperature regulation of neurons on hypothalamus.

Animals ; Hypothalamus ; cytology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo assess the clearance role and safety of Chinese herbal enema therapy (CHET) in clearing enterogenic uremic toxins in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients, thus providing evidence for further optimizing the comprehensive treatment.

METHODSUsing nonrandomized concurrent control trial, 96 CRF inpatients of Department of Nephropathy, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from March 2010 to December 2010 were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to their willingness. All patients were treated with basic treatment referring to clinical plans in the non-dialysis phase, while those in the treatment group were additionally treated with CHET, once daily, 2 weeks as one therapeutic course. The symptoms, serum enterogenic uremic toxin levels [including indoxyl sulfate (IS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid (UA)], and serum creatinine (SCr) were observed in the two groups between and after treatment. The adverse reactions were also monitored during the treatment period. The clinical efficacy and safety were also assessed.

RESULTSTotally 84 patients completed this clinical observation, 48 in the treatment group and 36 in the control group. The levels of SCr, BUN, and IS were obviously lower in the treatment group after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index in the control group between before and after treatment (P>0.05). The post-treatment the IS level was lower in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference (P<0.05). Symptoms like fatigue, soreness of waist and knees, constipation and edema were partially relieved in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The ratios of anorexia and nausea in patients of the treatment group was lowered after treatment (P<0.05). Besides, patients in the treatment group could defecate for more than once daily during the enema treatment period, dominated as rotten and soft feces. No severe adverse event occurred during the treatment period.

CONCLUSIONCHET combined basic treatment could lower the serum levels of enterogenic uremic toxins (IS and BUN) of CRF patients in a short period.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urea ; blood ; Uric Acid ; blood