Objective To evaluate the value of left ventricular Tei index for diagnosis of congestive heart failure(CHF)in elderly patients. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight elderly patients suggestive of CHF and 30 healthy middle-aged individuals were enrolled, Tei index, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and early to late diastolic mitral flow velocity ratio (E/A) were echocardiographically detected. Tei index in elderly patients with and without CHF, and healthy middle-aged individuals was determined, and then the diagnostic value of the above 3 parameters for CHF in elderly patients were evaluated. Results Tei index was singnificantly increased in patients with CHF compared with patients without CHF (0.77?0.14 vs 0.45?0.10,P

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutical effects of diplopore puncture of tympanum and intratympanic administration(DPTIA) on patients with acute secretory otitis media(ASOM).Method:One hundred and forty -one cases with ASOM were divided into two groups randomly,with 69 cases(80 ears) in group A(experimental group) and 72 cases(84 ears) in group B(control group).Group A was treated with DPTIA combined with medication, group B was treated with haplopore puncture of tympanum combined with medication. All patients accepted 1 to 3 courses of treament,and were observed during the period of treatment and 3 months after treatment.Result:The factors (including gender, age, side of ailing ear, course of disease, air-bone gap in the pure tone average,and acoustic immitance type in ailing ear) which may impact the prognosis were matched in two groups prior treatment(P＞0.05). While there was a significant difference in the cure rate and the total effective rate respectively between two groups after treatment(P＜0.05).No adverse reaction or complication was seen.Conclusion:DPTIA is a safe, reliable and effective way to manage patients with ASOM.

Objective To evaluate the sensitive indicator of left ventricular rotation/torsion assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (STI) and Logistic regression analysis,and to investigate the clinical value of the sensitive indicator for assessment of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic cor pulmonale (CCP).Methods 36 patients with CCP (CCP group) and 38 healthy controls (control group) were included in this study.Imaging in parasternal short-axis view (in basal and apical level) were selected.Parasternal short-axis views at mitral valve and apical levels were collected.Basal peak rotation,apical peak rotation,peak torsion,basal end-systolic rotation,apical end-systolic rotation and end systolic torsion were measured with Echo PAC software.Relevant indicators of left ventricular rotation/torsion were selected by using logistic regression analysis and the regression equation was established.Optimal values of specific parameters (Peak torsion and end-systolic torsion) were calculated with receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Specific parameters of rotation/torsion were significantly reduced in patients with CCP as compared with controls (all P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that end-systolic torsion and peak torsion were correlated with CCP (OR=0.473 and 0.706,P=0.007 and 0.011).Cut-off value of peak torsion for predicting left ventricular dysfunction was 12.070°,the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.819 (95％ CI:0.683-0.956),the sensitivity was 84.6％,and the specificity was 73.9 ％.Cut-off value of end-systolic torsion for predicting left ventricular dysfunction was 10.680°,AUC was 0.875(95％CI:0.744 1.000),the sensitivity was 84.6％,and the specificity was 91.3％.Conclusions Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging can sensitively assess left ventricular torsion and evaluate the left ventricular dysfunction in patients with CCP.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with covered stent in the treatment of portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 46 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension who received TIPS with stent treatment were retrospectively analyzed.After treatment,liver function,shunt patency,re-bleeding rate,hepatic encephalopathy,ascites,gastric intestinal symptoms, lifetime and causes of death were analyzed. Compare t test was performed for measurement data comparison among groups.The survival curves were used to analyse the cumulative stent shunt patency rate,the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy and the survival rate.Results After the operation,portal vein pressure significantly decreased compared with that before operation [(16.2 ± 4.6 )mmHg vs (28.3±5 .1)mmHg,1 mmHg=0.133 kPa],and the difference was statistically significant (t =21 .30, P <0.05).There was no significant difference in liver function before and after operation [(6.8 ±1 .8) score vs (6.9±1 .5)score,P >0.05].Cumulative stent shunt patency at 3,6,12,24,36 month after operation was 100.0%,95 .6%,93.5 %,91 .3% and 91 .3%,respectively.The cumulative incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 6.5 %,8.7%,13.0%,17.4% and 26.1 %,respectively;cumulative survival rate was 95 .7%,82.6%,67.4%,43.5 % and 32.6%,respectively.In 10 cases of refractory ascites, ascites of all the patients reduced with different degree after operation and gastrointestinal uncomfortable symptoms were relieved.Conclusion In patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension,who have gastrointestinal bleeding or refractory ascites,treatment of TIPS with covered stents could effectively lower portal pressure,prevent re-bleeding and reduce the volume of ascites.

Objective To identify the association strength of the prevalence of HBeAg, cccDNA with the occurrence of HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high risk male cohort in Qidong area in China. Methods A cohort of 377 middle aged HBV infected men in Qidong was followed from 1989 for 13. 25 years. HCC cases were registered. A matched case-controlled study was conducted on 32 pairs of inherent HCC cases with non-HCC controls. Serum HBeAg was measured by ELISA. cccDNA was detected by semi-nested PCR and verified by DNA sequencing. Standard statistical comparison between the prevalence of each HBV marker in HCC versus control group provided the odds ratio and P-value was used to evaluate its association strength with HCC occurrence. Results Serum HBeAg prevalence was 53. 1% (17/32) in HCC group versus 15. 6% (5/32) in controls, odds ratio (OR) =6. 12, P

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects between ginger-partition moxibustion combined with glucocorticoid and simple oral glucocorticoid for thyreoitis at subacute stage.

METHODSEighty-one patients were randomly divided into an observation group (41 cases) and a control group (40 cases). In the observation group, ginger-partition moxibustion and hormone were applied. Moxa cones were used at local ashi points, Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6), six cones every point, once every other day and three times a week. Besides, 24 mg methylprednisolone tablets were adopted orally every day, and in two weeks the dose was 16 mg/d, in four weeks 8 mg/d, in six weeks 4 mg/d; all the patients were observed for 8 week. In the control group, simple methylprednisolone was prescribed orally, and the dose, the usage and treatment time were the same as those in the observation group. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and ultra-sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups, as well as fever, the pain of thyroid gland, the regression time of swelling and adverse reaction.

RESULTSThe time of thyroid gland pain relieved of the observation group was earlier than that of the control group [(3.07 ± 0.78) days vs (3.62 ± 0.92) days, P < 0.05]. After treatment, T3, T4 and ESR were declined apparently (all P < 0.01), and TSH was obviously increased in the two groups (both P < 0.01). After 2-week treatment, ESR in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After 4-week treatment, T3, T4, TSH and ESR in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). After 8 weeks, all indices in the observation group were superior to those in the control group, without statistical significance between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The effects of the observation group in 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks were better than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The cured course was shorter in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The adverse reaction rate in the observation group was lower than that in the control group [4.9% (2/41) vs 22.5% (9/40), P < 0.05]. Three months later after treatment, the cured patients were followed. There was no recrudescence in the observation group and three patients caught the disease again in the control group, but there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinger-partition moxibustion combined with glucocorticoid achieves better effect than simple oral glucocorticoid for thyreoitis at subacute stage, and the adverse reaction is less, which presents the clinical advantages of the integration of Chinese and western medicine.

Adult ; Female ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Thyroid Hormones ; metabolism ; Thyroiditis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Thyrotropin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on apoptosis-related serum and expression of microRNA (miRNA) in rats with myocardial ischemia, so as to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODSA total of 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a Neiguan group and a acupoint compatibility group, 12 rats in each group. Isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) with a daily dose of 2 mg/kg was subcutaneously injected for 14 days to establish the myocardial ischemia model in the model group, Neiguan group and acupoint compatibility group. Rats in the normal group were subcutaneously injected with an equal volume of normal saline. After modeling, rats in the Neiguan group were treated with EA at "Neiguan" (PC 6), while rats in the acupoint compatibility group were treated with EA at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Neiguan" (PC 6). Rats in the normal group and model group were treated with immobilization, once day for 21 days. The contents of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); apoptosis index (AI) of myocardial cells was detected by TUNEL method; the expressions of miRNA-1, miRNA-133, miRNA-208 and miRNA-499 were detected by real-time PCR method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the serum CK-MB, VCAM-1 and ET-1 were significantly increased in the model group, Neiguan group and acupoint compatibility group (all P < 0.01), and the apoptosis index was significantly increased (all P < 0.01). The CK-MB, VCAM-1 and ET-1 in the Neiguan group and acupoint compatibility group were significantly lower than those in the model group (all P < 0.01); the AI was reduced, which was more significant in the acupoint compatibility group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of miRNA-133 was reduced (P < 0.01) and those of miRNA-208, miRNA-1 and miRNA-499 were significantly increased in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of miRNA-133 was increased (both P < 0.01) and that of miRNA-208, miRNA-1 and miRNA-499 were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01) in the Neiguan group and acupoint compatibility group. Compared with the Neiguan group, the expression of miRNA-133 was increased (P < 0.01) and those of miRNA-208, miRNA-1 and miRNA-499 were significantly reduced in the acupoint compatibility group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA at acupoints, especially acupoint compatibility group, could effectively prevent and treat myocardial ischemia, and the protective effect is possibly correlated to the double regulation on increasing the expression of miRNA-133 and inhibiting the expression of miRNA-1, miRNA-208, miRNA-499.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIM:To investigate the influence of continuous subculturing of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on the mRNA expression of all 23 family members of NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and to search for the way of improving the subculture quality of hUC-MSCs and increasing the quantity and safety in the experimental and clinical application .METHODS:Neonatal umbilical cord was collected to isolate and purify the hUC-MSCs with the colla-genase II digestion and adherence screening methods .These cells were continuously subcultured .The hUC-MSCs at pas-sage 3 and passage 28 were identified by flow cytometry and induced differentiation .The mRNA expression of NLRs in the passage 3 and passage 28 hUC-MSCs was detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS: The cell phenotypes of both passage 3 and passage 28 hUC-MSCs were CD29 +/CD44 +/CD105 +/CD31 -/CD34 -/CD40 -/CD45 -/CD106 -/HLA-DR-, and both of the cells were induced into osteoblasts and adipocytes , which were conformed to the criteria of International Society for Cellular Therapy to define MSCs .All the NLR family members were expressed in passage 3 hUC-MSCs.NOD1, NLRC4, NLRC5, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRP10, NAIP, NLRX1 and APAF1 at mRNA levels were highly expressed , and the rest were lowly expressed.When hUC-MSCs were subcultured to passage 28, NLRP10 mRNA was increased, NLRC5 mRNA and NLRX1 mRNA were hardly changed , and all of the rest members were decreased .The difference of NLRP1 mRNA expres-sion between passage 3 and passage 28 hUC-MSCs was observed with statistical significance (P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:The effects of subculturing on the expression of NLR family in hUC-MSCs are pleiotropic .It requires further investi-gation to confirm whether these effects are related to the proliferation , differentiation and immunomodulation of MSCs .

AIM:Toinvestigatetheeffectofnicotinicacidamide(NAA)ontheinfusiondamageofhuman umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ( hUC-MSCs) under the condition of instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction ( IBMIR) .METHODS:Normal peripheral blood without anticoagulant at volume of 2.7 mL was mixed with 0.3 mL phys-iological saline (as blank group), CFSE labeled hUC-MSCs (1 ×106 cells in 0.3 mL as MSC group) and CFSE labeled hUC-MSCs (1 ×106 cells in 0.3 mL) preprocessed with NAA at concentration of 10 mmol/L for 24 h ( as MSC+NAA group) , respectively.The mixture was immediately injected into the improved Chandler Loop model, placed in 37℃water bath, and then started the peristaltic pump at the speed of 20 mL/min for 1 h.The number of CFSE labeled hUC-MSCs, platelets, white blood cells were counted and the concentration of complement C3a was measured before and after cycling, respectively.RESULTS: After 1 h circulation, the platelet dissipation rate were ( 29.96 ±10.88 )% in blank group, (77.76 ±19.29)% in MSC group all and (50.13 ±18.10)% in MSC +NAA group; and the leukocyte counts were (37.82 ±13.81)%in blank group, (64.57 ±17.08)% in MSC group and (41.52 ±17.26)% in MSC+NAA group. Compared with blank group, the differences of the dissipation rates in MSC group and MSC+NAA group all had statistical significance.The hUC-MSCs relative survival rate in MSC+NAA group was higher than that in MSC group.C3a concentra-tions in blank group, MSC group and MSC+NAA group were (206.27 ±58.10), (230.47 ±39.61) and (208.37 ± 40.66) μg/L, respectively.CONCLUSION:Co-circulating the mixture of hUC-MSCs with normal peripheral blood with-out anticoagulant in the improved Chandler Loop for 1 h depletes a large number of hUC-MSCs and blood components, and increases C3a, suggesting that this model can induce IBMIR.NAA has a protective effect on the hUC-MSCs in the infusion damage by inhibiting IBMIR, reducing the wastage of the blood components and enhancing the survival rate of the hUC-MSCs.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of endoscopic sphineterotomy (EST) and endoscopic sphincterotomy associated with traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of intrahepafic duct stones.Methods Eighty patients with common bile duet stones and intrahepatic duct stone were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.EST associated with traditional Chinese medicine was performed in the treatment group,and EST only was used in the control group.Clinical effects were observed.Results Common bile Duet stone clearance was achieved in 94% patients in the treatment group,contrasting 88% in the control group.There was no significant difference between them (P＞0.05).While intrahepatic duct stone clearance was 74% and 28% respectively in the treatment group and the control group,showing significant difference (P＜0.05).Conclusion It is a good way that endoscopic sphincterotomy associated with traditional Chinese medicine treating intrahepatic duct stones.