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Objective To analyse the relationship between hepatic function index and perinatal-prognosis in patients with the intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP). Methods The clinical data of 85 the patients with ICP in our department were retrospectively reviewed. Results The more the serum levels of TBA,SGPT and TBIL in the patients with ICP were, the more incidence of fetal distress, amniotic fluid contamination and asphyxia neonatorum would be (P

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Houttuynia Cordata on expression of human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) in pulmonary epithelial cells (SPC-A-1) in vitro; and to observe the correlationship between the level of HBD-2 mRNA and the concentrations or treatment times of Houttuynia Cordata. METHODS: The SPC-A-1 cells were cultured with different concentrations of Houttuynia Cordata in vitro, including 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 microg/ml. And then, the SPC-A-1 cells were cultured with the optimal concentration of Houttuynia Cordata in different lengths of time, including 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours. After the treatment, the mRNA level of HBD-2 in pulmonary epithelial cells was detected by means of semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: After being cultured with Houttuynia Cordata, the expression of HBD-2 mRNA had positive correlation with the stimulus concentrations (rs=0.829, P=0.042) and stimulus time (rs=0.914, P=0.003). The highest expression of HBD-2 mRNA was induced by 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata after 8-hour treatment. In comparison with the normal control group and the interleukin-1beta group, 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata could significantly up-regulate the expression of HBD-2 mRNA in SPC-A-1 cells after 8-hour treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Houttuynia Cordata can up-regulate expression of HBD-2 mRNA in SPC-A-1 cells, and the highest expression level of HBD-2 mRNA can be obtained by culture with 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata for 8 hours.

Objective To investigate the relationship between lipid abnormality and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men receiving physical examination. MethodsFour hundred and one people who participated health examination in our hospital in May 2008 were included in the study. They were divided into two groups according to history of disease, IPSS score, the results of digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound: BPH group (192 cases) and no BPH group (209 cases). The blood lipid level and risk factors were compared in two groups. ResultsThere were no statistical differences in blood lipid level and risk stratification of cardiovascular disease between the two groups (TG:P=0. 698;TC:P=0. 654;LDL-C:P=0. 880; HDL-C:P=0. 531; risk stratification: P= 0. 251). IPSS score had no obvious correlation with blood lipid level (TG: P = 0. 054 ; TC: P =0. 149; LDL-C: P = 0. 427; HDL-C:P=0. 193) .Conclusions BPH complicated with lipid abnormality is common in the clinics, but the correlation between BPH and lipid abnormality in patients with light BPH is not so clear as that in patients with mild or severe BPH.

ObjectiveTo determine whether simvastatin alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) coexisting with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and explore an optimized scheme of treatment. MethodsFrom February to June in 2011,30 male subjects with MS and LUTS caused by BPH in out-patients and in-patients from geriatric department were recruited.The patients were randomly assigned to receive orally simvastatin (40 mg) and tamsulosin (0.2 mg) quaque noete as combination treatment group or only tamsulosin (0.2 mg,quaque nocte) as single treatment group for 8 weeks.International prostate symptoms score (IPSS),quality of life (QOL),maximum flow rate (MFR) and prostate volume (PV),liver enzymes,creatinine and routine urine test were monitored to evaluate the effectiveness and safety before and after the treatment.Results In the two groups,the significant differences were found in the levels of IPSS,QOL and MFR,while there was no difference in PV between pre-treatment and post-treatment.The scores of IPSS after treatment were (6.4 ± 4.4) in combination treatment group and(4.2±3.3)in single treatment group (P＜0.05),and there were significant difference in scores of IPSS before and after the treatment between two groups (P＜0.05),suggesting better improvement in combination treatment group than in single treatment group.In two groups,there were no adverse events,and no changes were found in liver and kidney function,muscle enzymes and routine urine test.Conclusions Combined tamsulosin and simvastatin treatment may alleviate LUTS caused by BPH and are well tolerated with no adverse events.

OBJECTIVE To investigate pathogens and their resistance in infective endocarditis patients.METHODS Pathogens and their resistance were detected by MicroScan WalkAway-40 system.RESULTS Most of pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus.The resistant rate of S.pyogenes to tetracycline,erythromycin,ampicillin,penicillin,gentamicin and chloramphenicol was 78.6%,42.9%,14.3%,0,0 and 0,respectively.Four were MRS in 10 Staphylococcus isolates and they were resistant to most antimicrobial agents except vancomycin and higher than MSS.CONCLUSIONS Most of pathogens are S.pyogenes and Staphylococcus in infective endocarditis patients;most S.pyogenes isolates are resistant to tetracycline,erythromycin,but susceptible to penicillins;MRS are resistant to most of antimicrobial agents except vancomycin.

The Nano ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to characterize the primary protein. Samples were digested by trypsin, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis and database search. Five peptides matched with tumor necrosis factor receptor and seven peptides matched with human IgG1 fragment of the Fc. Further analysis demonstrated that seven peptides all matched with the IgG1 Fc but only partly peptides matched with the other subtypes. RhTNFR:Fc is fused by IgG1 Fc but not other subtypes.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of puerarin on infarction size, fatty acids metabolism, inflammatory response and atherosclerotic plaque stability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSSixty-one patients with AMI were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 30) and the treated group (n = 31). All were treated with conventional treatment, but to the treated group, puerarin injection was given additionally by injecting 500 mg per day for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed, and the size of infarction was determined by Ideker QRS scoring method.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the size of infarction was positively correlated to the levels of FFA, MMP-9 and CRP (r = 0.43, 0.42 and 0.39, respectively, all P<0.01). As compared with those before treatment, after treatment, the three parameters lowered by 30%, 41% and 23%, respectively and the size of infarction significantly reduced in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, no significant change was found (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPuerarin treatment could significantly reduce the size of infarction in patients with AMI, the mechanism is possibly related with its effects in lowering plasma levels of FFA, inhibiting inflammation and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque.

Aged ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

Objective To explore the CT features of pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis (PLAM).Methods Clinical and high resolution CT (HRCT)data of 14 patients with pathologically proved PLAM were analyzed retrospectively.The clinical and CT features were summarized by combining the literatures.Results All 14 cases were female.They all presented with dyspnea in different degree after the activity. Scattered or widely distributed translucent and cystic lesions with indistinct walls in bilateral lungs were seen on routine CT images. HRCT showed homogeneous clear thin-walled cysts with diameter ranging from several millimeters to 25 mm,wall thickness of 1-2 mm,and surrounded by normal lung tissue.Meanwhile,blood vessels were found around the cysts,and there were no central lobular cores.The cysts were different sizes and irregular distribution.6 patients had extra-pulmonary CT manifestations:1 case with intracranial multiple sclerosis, hepatic and renal angiomyolipomas,and hepatic multiple hemangiomas,3 cases with mediastinal,hepatic and renal angiomyolipomas, and 2 cases with retroperitonea lymphangioleiomyomatosis.Conclusion The CT of PLAM is characterized by the diffuse distribution of thin-walled cystic cavities and the wall thickness is generally uniform.The typical manifestations of HRCT combined with clinical data have great values in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Older patients often experience a loss of physical,cognitive and social functioning during an acute illness-caused hospitalization.The loss of function could be due to a traditional model of hospital care,which focuses only on diagnosis and treatment of acute disease.Restoration of elderly patients' lost functions is important for better prognosis of hospitalized elderly patients and would reduce the cost of additional medical treatment.Acute care for the elderly (ACE) is a new model of care aiming at function restoration by practicing a geriatric assessment in the special ACE unit of hospital.The ACE intervention includes interdisciplinary team rounds,discharge planning of hospital,medical care review,a prepared environment,and patient-centered care.Multiple randomized control trials have demonstrated that ACE unit can improve the functional status and prognosis of old patients,reduce the cost of hospitalization,and improve patients' satisfaction.Currently,ACE care model is poorly known by Chinese hospitals and doctors.This article introduces the concepts of ACE unit,technical elements and the clinical evidence of its effectiveness.