Objective To observe clinical effect of self-made xiaozhongsanjie decoction combined with levothyroxine sodium tablets in treatment of thyroid nodule.Methods From July 2013 to July 2014, 52 cases of thyroid nodule patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group( n=25)and study group(n=27).The control group were received levothyroxine sodium tablets, while the study group were given self-made xiaozhongsanjie decoction on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated for 24 weeks.The changes of thyroid stimulating hormone ( TSH ) , serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), serum free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) levels, and the thyroid nodule size of two groups before and after treatment were recorded and compared.ResuIts After 24 weeks’ treatment, the thyroid nodule size of both groups reduced, and the descending range of study group was much larger than that of control group (P<0.05).The TSH levels of both groups descended, and the descending range of study group was much larger than control group (P<0.05).While the FT4 levels all increased in both groups, and the ascending range of study group was much larger than control group (P<0.05).And the total effective rate of study group was 77.78%, which was significantly higher than control group (48.00%, P<0.05). ConcIusion The therapy of self-made xiaozhongsanjie decoction combined with levothyroxine sodium tablets in treatment of thyroid nodule could control or reduce the thyroid nodule size effectively.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of occupational asthma,airway inflammation and analyze the risk factors for workers exposed to isocyanates.Methods A cross-sectional study was applied.Totally 429 isocyanates exposed workers were surveyed and the prevalence of occupational asthma and airway inflammation situation were examined by questionnaire,physical examination and laboratory tests.Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the possible risk factors of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma.Results (1) A total of 366 patients with complete data were included in the study,and finally 11 cases were diagnosed as isocyanate-induced occupational asthma with a prevalence of 3.0％.(2) Neutrophil percentage in the induced sputum of occupational asthma increased significantly [42.00％ (34.00％-55.00％) before work and 59.00％ (51.00％-70.00％) after work (Z =-2.940.P ＜ 0.05)].(3) Length of service (OR =3.096,P =0.025) and rhinitis (OR =1.901,P =0.008) were independent dangerous factors,and protective measures (OR =0.074,P =0.015) was protective factors to isocyanateinduced occupational asthma.Conclusions Neutrophilic inflammation can be triggered by isocyanate exposure.Regular health examinations,effective protective measures can reduce the prevalence of isocyanateinduced occupational asthma.

AIM:To develop a capillary GC method for determining six components in Heiguidou Oil,?-pinene,eucalyptol,borneol,methyl salicylate,cinnamia aldehyde and eugenol. METHODS:GC was applied to quantitative analysis. Chromatographic conditions consisted of PEG-20M(30 m?0.25 mm?0.25 ?m),flame ionization detector(FID),and programmed temperature; initiation temperature was at 80 ℃ for 7 min; the rate of temperature was 15℃/minute,final temperature was at 180 ℃ for 10 min,bypass rate was 50 ∶1. The sample dissolved in absolute alcohol. The external standard was used. RESULTS:The standard curves of conclusion ?-pinene,eucalyptol,borneol,methyl salicylate,cinnamia aldehyde and eugenol were linear within the ranges of 0.322-32.150 mg/mL,0.202 -20.215 mg/mL,0.126-12.630 mg/mL,0.633-63.290 mg/mL,0.174-17.390 mg/mL,0.633-63.290 mg/mL and 0.203-20.255 mg/mL,respectively.RSD were 0.83%,0.48%,0.48%,0.31%,and 0.53 %,respectively. CONCLUSION:The established method is accurate and it can be applied to the simulta-neous assay of six components.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of microtubule depolymerization (MD) on the spontaneous beating rate, action potential (AP), and oxygen consumption of cardiac myocytes in rats and its mechanism.

METHODSOne-hundred and eighty neonatal SD rats divided into 12 batches were used in the experiment, and 15 rats in each batch were sacrificed for the isolation and culture of cardiac myocytes after the heart tissues were harvested. The cardiac myocytes were respectively inoculated in one 12-well plate filled with 6 round cover slips, one 12-well plate filled with 6 square cover slips, two cell culture flasks, and two cell culture dishes. After routine culture for three days, the cardiac myocytes from all the containers were divided into normal control group (NC, routinely cultured with 3 mL DMEM/F12 solution rewarmed at 37 °C for 3 h) and group MD (routinely cultured with 3 mL DMEM/F12 solution rewarmed at 37 ° and containing 8 µmol/L colchicine for 3 h) according to the random number table, with 3 holes, 1 flask, or 1 dish in each group. The morphological changes in microtubules were observed with confocal laser scanning microscope after immunofluorescent staining. The content of polymerized or dissociative α-tubulin was determined by Western blotting. Spontaneous beating rate of the cells was observed and calculated under inverted microscope. Dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution containing cardiac myocytes was determined by oxygen microelectrode system before and after the addition of colchicine. Additionally, dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution and colchicine + DMEM/F12 solution was determined. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record AP, delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)), and L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca-L)) in cardiac myocytes; current density-voltage (I-V) curves were drawn based on the traces. Data were processed with independent or paired samples t-test.

RESULTS(1) In group NC, microtubules of cardiac myocytes were around the nucleus in radial distribution with intact and clear linear tubiform structure. The microtubules in group MD were observed in dispersive distribution with damaged structure and rough linear tubiform structure. (2) In group MD, the content of dissociative α-tubulin of cells (0.61 ± 0.03) was obviously higher than that in group NC (0.46 ± 0.03, t = -6.99, P < 0.05), while the content of polymerized α-tubulin (0.57 ± 0.04) was significantly lower than that in group NC (0.88 ± 0.04, t = 9.09, P < 0.05). (3) Spontaneous beating rate of cells was (59 ± 8) times per min in group MD, which was distinctly higher than that in group NC [(41 ± 7) times per min, t = 5.62, P < 0.01]. (4) Dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution containing cardiac myocytes was (138.4 ± 2.5) µmol/L, and it was reduced to (121.7 ± 3.6) µmol/L after the addition of colchicine ( t = 26.31, P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference in dissolved oxygen concentration between DMEM/F12 solution and colchicine + DMEM/F12 solution (t = 0.72, P > 0.05). (5) Compared with that of group NC, AP morphology of cells in group MD changed significantly, with unobvious repolarization plateau phase and shorter action potential duration (APD). The APD20, APD50, and APD90 were respectively (36.2 ± 3.8), (73.7 ± 5.7), and (115.1 ± 8.0) ms in group MD, which were significantly shorter than those of group NC [(40.2 ± 2.3), (121.4 ± 7.0), and (169.4 ± 5.6) ms, with t values respectively 2.61, 15.88, and 16.75, P values below 0.05]. (6) Compared with that of group NC, the I-V curve of I(K) of cells in group MD moved up with higher current density under each test voltage (0 to 40 mV) after activation ( with t values from 2. 70 to 3. 76, P values below 0.05) . (7) There was not much alteration in current density of I(Ca-L) under each test voltage (-30 to 50 mV) between 2 groups (with t values from -1.57 to 1.66, P values above 0.05), and their I-V curves were nearly overlapped.

CONCLUSIONSAfter MD, the I(K) is enhanced without obvious change in I(Ca-L), making AP repolarization faster and APD shortened. Then the rapid spontaneous beating rate increases oxygen consumption of cardiac myocytes of rats.

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Energy Metabolism ; Microtubules ; metabolism ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tubulin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance angiography ( MRA ) in diagnosing peripheral hemangioma andvascular malformation . Methods 61 cases of hemangioma and vascular malformations in peripheral soft tissue were undergone MRAexamination.Results Of 13 patients with hemangioma,the arteries within hemangioma were increased and gradually fine from proximal to distal in 7 cases and in company with arteriovenous fistulae in 2 cases,there were no arteries within hemangioma in 6 cases.Vascular malformations were found in 48 patients,arteries and veins of vascular malformation were showed in 35 cases,but arteries of vascular malformations were only showed in one case.Arteries of vascular malformation were showed in 5 cases and the arteries were pressed on arterial angioyraphy in 23 cases.On MR venography(MRV),the shallow malformed veina were showed in 25 cases and in company with deep malformed veina in 13 cases,only the shallow and deep veina increased and thickness be showed in 2 cases.Arterioveinous fistulae could be seen in 8 cases on MR aterio-venography.There were no vessel be showed in 12 cases within the losions.Conclusion MRA is of significant value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of peripheral hemangioma and vascular malformations.

Objective To study MRI differential diagnosis of peripheral hemangioma and vascular malformations.Methods MRIfindings of peripheral hemangiomas and vascular malformations proved by operation in 61 cases were retrospectively analyzed in comparison with pathological results.Results In 29 cases of peripheral hemangiomas,20 cases showed equal signal intensity (equal to muscle) and 9 cases showed heterogeneous signal intensity on T1-weighted images; 24 cases showed increased signal intensity (approach fat signal) and 5 cases showed markedly increased signal intensity (increase fat signal) on T2-weighted images,25 cases had septa as low signal network on T2-weighted images,4 cases showed enhancement separated mass enhancement after intravenous contrast injection.In 32 cases peripheral vascular malformations,16 cases showed equal signal intensity and 16 cases showed heterogeneous signal intensity on T1-weighted images.3 cases showed high signal intensity and 29 cases showed markedly increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images,15 cases showed inhomogeneous enhancement after intravenous contrast injection.Conclusion MRI plays an important role in differential diagnosis of peripheral hemangiomas and vascular malformations.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with polymyositis(PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), and compare the differences of PM/DM to help the understanding of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods One hundred and forty-five hospitalized PM/DM patients from Department of Rheumatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiˊan Jiaotong University were collected from May 2008 to December 2014, and the clinical manifestations, muscle enzymes, electromyogram, muscle biopsy, treatment outcome were retrospectively analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results The most common initial symptom of PM was muscle weakness, accounted for 51.2%, while rash was the initial presentation in most DM patients(43.1%). The incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (62.7% vs 39.5%, χ2=11.009, P=0.001), and the elevation of CRP (48.9% vs 26.8%, χ2=10.272, P=0.001) were all higher in DM than PM, while the elevation of level of CK (85.4% vs 61.8%, U=-2.668, P=0.008) and CKMB (82.9%vs 41.2%, U=-3.303, P=0.001) were more common in PM compared with DM. The pathological study showed degeneration of muscle fiber, connective tissue hyperplasia in most PM patients, and perimysium atrophy, vacuoles degeneration, muscle bundles, perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in most DM patients. During the follow-up, the clinical remission rate was 57.5%, the relapse rate and the mortality rate was 7.5%and 31.1%respectively. The mortality rate was higher in DM than PM (34.6% vs 21.4%, χ2=4.861, P=0.027). Infection and tumors were the major causes of death, and the lung was the most common site of infection. Conclusion Differences in the clinical features, muscle enzymes, CRP level, pathology and the mortality rate between PM and DM are evident, while ILD, infection and the higher mortality rate are more common in DM than in PM.

Objective To develop a micro-circumstance airtight cabin for in the study of biological aerosols detection with such functions as airflow control and temperature and humidity detection .Methods Wind speed sensors , temperature and humidity sensors , electrical control valves , high efficiency filters and the vacuum pump formed the micro-circumstance regulating system .The techniques of airflow direction control , temperature compensation , air pressure control and aerosol uniformity distribution were used .Numerical simulation of aerosol concentration distribution in the airtight cabin was achieved using Fluent software .The bioaerosol concentration in different locations was tested by experiments .Results The micro-circumstance airtight cabin consisted of an airtight cabin and a control cabin .The control cabin used a single-chip microprocessor to provide air supply and exhaust air to the airtight cabin in a seaparate exhaust mode and cyclic ventilation mode.It worked under a negative pressure condition .Through numerical simulation,the aerosols were distributed through-out the cabin after five minutes of generation and the bottom airflow arrived at the top .The distribution of aerosol concentra-tion was approximately uniform .Conclusion The micro-circumstance airtight cabin is suited to various bioaerosols testing research thanks to its negative pressure working without bioaerosol leakage .

Objective To investigate the value of fractional contrast medium bolus injection in improving the quality of CT portography.MethodsA total of 42 patients were randomly divided into two groups which were all given iohexol (350mgI/mL) as the contrast medium.20 patients in the group A were injected with conventional method (dosage of 100ml, rate of 4mL/s).The group B (22 patients) were treated with fractional contrast medium bolus injection, the first phase with 60mL contrast medium (rate of 4mL/s) and the second phase (10s delayed) with 40mL contrast medium (rate of 4m/s).The tube was washed by 20mL saline with the same rate of injection at both phases.The CT values and the image quality of the branches of the portal vein were evaluated according to the original and postprocessed images.Independent samples test was used to compare the CT values of the portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, hepatic parenchyma and portal vein-liver parenchyma.The subjective evaluation scores of the image quality were compared by wilcoxon.ResultsThe CT values of the portal vein, splenic vein and portal vein-liver parenchyma in the group B were significantly higher than that in the group A (t=3.317,3.523,P<0.01).There was no significant difference in CT values of hepatic parenchyma and superior mesenteric vein between the two groups.Subjective quality score in the group B was superior to that in the group A, and the difference was statistically significant.T The two evaluation physicians agreed well.ConclusionThe technique of fractional contrast medium bolus injection can significantly improve the image quality of CT portograghy.

Objective:To establish two differential gene expression profiles of qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome before or after safflower injection treatment by using gene chip technology;compared and analyzed to ensure the effective genes that are responsible for the therapeutic effects of safflower injection against qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in rats.Furthermore,speculated the effect mechanism of the therapeutic genes.Methods:Fifteen SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5):control group,model group,and medication group.Qi-deficiency and blood stasis model was established by subjecting the rats to hunger and fatigue for two weeks.After a week of the modeling,safflower injection (100 mg/kg/d) was administered daily via the tail vein for 7 days in medication group,and the rats in model group were injected with saline of the same volume.Control group received normal feeding.At the end of the experiment,rats were killed and whole blood was collected to evaluate the blood stream change and extract mRNAs in blood samples.Qualified mRNAs were reverse transcribed into cDNA which was then used in gene chip hybridization.The genes regulated by safflower injection were determined by the fluorescence signal and the functional mechanisms of safflower injection were confirmed by further querying genealogy databases and reviewing literatures.Results:After two weeks of the modeling,the whole blood viscosity under various shear rates was significantly increased in the model rats which showed faint,blood stasis and weight loss,indicating that the model is made successfully.The increased whole blood viscosity and qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were obviously reversed by safflower injection treatment.Compared with the control group,252 genes up-regulated while 54 genes down-regulated in model group;compared with the model group,196 genes up-regulated while 32 genes down-regulated.Among these,16 differentially expressed genes were involved in inflammation and immune response.Conclusions:Safflower injection was effective in treating qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,which was achieved by regulating inflammation related genes.