ObjectiveTo investigate preliminary applic ation values of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)in the carotid artery narrowing of transient ischemia attack (TIA) patients. MethodsIVUS has been used to 4 TIA patients with carotid artery narrowing identified by carotid artery echo, following carotid stenting and completion angiogram to detect evidence of inappropriate stent deployment. ResultsIVUS revealed the vessel wall structure, plaque morphology, measured accurately the narrowing degree of carotid artery. The narrowing percent identified by IVUS was larger than angiogram, and IVUS was more sensitive in detecting plaque than digital subtraction angiography(DSA). Four patients accepted stent deployment successfully.ConclusionsDSA underestimated the severity of the lesion. IVUS more accurately evaluates the extent and characteristics of the lesions than DSA, it is an important and useful component of carotid artery stent procedures.

Objective To research the mechanism of TX0201 abstracted from Heart-Regulating Formula in treatment of rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods The rat model of AD was induced by A?25-35 injected into the bilateral amygdale. To observe the spatial learning and memory ability, by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis, the expression of ?-amyloid precursor protein (APP), glial filament acid protein (GFAP) in the brain of the model animal were examined. Results In AD model group, the spatial learning and memory ability was damaged significantly, the expression of APP mRNA increased in its cortex and hippocampus. GFAP immunopositive signal, and IL-6 mRNA in cortex and hippocampus and the expression of IL-1? mRNA in hippocampus were upregulated. TX0201 improved the spatial learning and memory disturbance, decreased the expression of APP mRNA and IL-1? mRNA in hippocampus, downregulated GFAP and IL-6 mRNA in cortex and hippocampus. Conclusions The model showed the characteristic of AD such as memory hypofunction. TX0201 could partially ameliorate memory function, decrease the expression of APP mRNA in hippocampus, alleviate inflammation-immunity reaction, that is one of the effect mechanisms of TX0201.

Objective To investigate the morphological changes and expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) in submandibular gland of C57BL/ksj\|db/db mutant diabetic mice. Methods Animals were C57BL/ksj\|db/+m mutant diabetic mice which were imported from Japan.The pure Zygote,that is db/db mouse,displays obesity and high blood glucose over 10mmol/L.The test groups were 3,4,6,8,10 month\|old db/db mice and the age\|matched db/+m mice as control.Immunohistochemistry technology was applied in this study. Results In db/db diabetic mice,submandibular gland atrophied and took on the significant morphological changes in acinar,duct and granular convoluted tubule.The NGF Immunopositive cells in submandibular gland were significantly less than the age\|matched control animals and showed a descend tendency with the progression of diabetes millitus.Conclusion\ The decreased expression of NGF demonstrates NGF synthesis and secretion in granular convoluted tubule of submandibular gland was decreased.The lower NGF levels may be associated with development of diabetic neuropathy.\;[

Objective To evaluate the predictive performance of diaphragm thickening fraction ( DTF) assessed by ultrasound in the feasibility of weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . Methods Forty-three patients with COPD were enrolled for prospective study.All patients were ventilated mechanically for more than 48 hours and were expected to be weaned when they met clinical criteria in the intensive care unit from February 2015 to August 2015.Patients received a spontaneous breathing trial under pressure support for 1 h.At the end of spontaneous breathing trial, the right hemi-diaphragm was visualized in the zone of apposition using a 6-13 MHz linear ultrasound probe. Diaphragm thickness was recorded at end-inspiration (DTei) and end-expiration (DTee), and the DTF was calculated as percentage from the following formula:(DTei -DTee) /DTee.Also the rapid shallow breathing index ( RSBI ) was calculated.Patients meeting weaning criteria were extubated.Weaning successfully was defined as spontaneous breathing for >48 h without any form of ventilation support.Results Twenty-five patients were weaned successfully and failure of weaning was found in 18 patients.A significant differences in DTF ( 39.66 ±13.22 )%vs.( 23.84 ±8.85 )%, P <0.05 and RSBI ( 62.74 ±26.05 ) vs.( 98.89 ± 35.44) , P <0.05 were observed between patients with successful weaning and patients with failure.The sensitivity and specificity of DTF≥30 % for successful weaning were 84% and 83.88 %, respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.872 ( 95 % CI: 0.759-0.985 ) for DTF.By comparison, when RSBI was ≤105, there was a sensitivity of 92 %, and a specificity of 38.89 % for determining successful weaning.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.804 ( 95 %CI: 0.669-0.940) for RSBI. Conclusions This study shows that in a cohort of COPD patients, the assessment of DTF using diaphragm ultrasound may be useful to predict success weaning or failure during spontaneous breathing trial.

Objective To evaluate the value of plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and serum pmcalcitonin (PCT) to investigate their assessment of disease severity and prognosis in patients with sepsis.Methods The levels of plasma suPAR and serum PCT were monitored in 77 patients with sepsis.The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded.According to the disease severity and their prognosis,the value of plasma suPAR,serum PCT,APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA score on predict the disease severity and prognosis of septic patients were compared.Results The levels of plasma suPAR in septic patients [(7.9 ±6.5) ng/mL] were lower than severe sepsis patients [(8.4 ±4.5) ng/mL] and septic shock patients [(13.9 ± 8.0) ng/mL],allP ＜ 0.05.The levels of serum PCT in septic patients (6.3 ± 3.5) ng/mLwere lower than severe sepsis patients [(23.7 ± 3.9) ng/mL] and septic shock patients [(25.7 ±4.3) ng/mL],allP ＜0.05.But there was no significant difference in the levels of serum PCT between the severe sepsis group and the septic shock group.Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC)of the level of plasma suPAR could distinguish survivors from non-survivors in septic patients,maximal area under curve (AUC) of plasma suPAR was 0.803.The best cut-off value of plasma suPAR to distinguish survivors from non-survivors was 9.905 ng/mL.And the AUC of serum PCT was 0.61 (P ＞ 0.05) ; the AUCofAPACHEⅡ score was 0.832 (P＜0.05); the AUC of SOFA score was 0.767 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Monitoring of the levels of plasma suPAR and the APACHE Ⅱ score can help to assess the severity and the prognosis of sepsis in the early stage.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of scutellarin on the apoptosis of human tongue squa?mous carcinoma Tca8113 cells. Methods Human tongue squamous carcinoma Tca8113 cells were divided into control group and scutellarin groups (80, 120 and 160 mg/L). Tunel method was used to detect the apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay was used to detect the caspase-8 protein expression of cells. Results (1)The apoptotic rates of Tca8113 cells were significantly high in scutellarin groups (80, 120 and 160 mg/L) than those in control group [(17.63 ± 0.25)%, (36.23±0.36)%, (51.84±0.58)%vs (4.45±0.27)%, P<0.05].(2)Compared with control group, the expressions of cas?pase-8 protein were significantly increased in different concentrations (80, 120 and 160 mg/L) of scutellarin groups (0.283± 0.040 vs 0.474±0.031, 0.592±0.077, 0.781±0.020,P<0.05). Conclusion Scutellarin could obviously induce the apoptosis of human tongue squamous carcinoma Tca8113 cells, which may be related to the caspase-8 protein expression.

Objective To observe the role of short-term use of megestrol acetate in reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy in breast cancer and in improving the quality of life of patients, as well as its impact on neo-adjuvant chemotherapy effects. Methods The effection of adjuvant chemotherapy, toxicity, and the quality of life of 158 patients with breast cancer were investigated by a retrospective control study. The data were statistically analysized by X~2 test. Results There was no significant difference of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy effects between Megestrol acetate + CEF chemotherapy group and vitamin C + CEF chemotherapy group (Megestrol acetate + CEF chemotherapy group was 74. 84%, vitamin C + CEF chemotherapy group was 76.15) ; Megestrol acetate + CEF chemotherapy group had more modest bone marrow suppression and gas-trointestinal reactions and better food intake, weight, KPS score than vitamin C + CEF Chemotherapy group, all the differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Short-term use of megestrol ace-tate can reduce the adverse effects derived from chemotherapy of breast cancer and improve the quality of life of patients with breast cancer and had no effects on the efficacy of the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the effects of scutellarin on Bcl-2 and Bax expression in human tongue squamous carcinoma Tca-8113 cell.Methods:Tca8113 cells were treated with 80,120 and 160μg/ml scutellarin for 48 h respectively.Immunocytochem-istry method and RT-PCR were applied to observe the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and mRNA in the cells.Results:With the increase of scutellarin concentration,Bcl-2 protein and mRNA decreased(P<0.05),Bax protein and mRNA increased(P<0.05). Conclusion:Scutellarin may downregulate Bcl-2 expression and upregulate Bax expression in Tca-8113 cells.

Objective To compare the effects of different doses of adenosine(AD)on the left coronary blood flow(CBF)and left coronary flow reserve(CFR)in mini-swine.Methods By using Doppler flow wire and intracoronary ultrasound imaging catheter at the middle segment of LAD,coronary average peak flow velocity(APV)and lumen area were measured in 10 healthy mini-swines.CBF was calculated from the equation of 0.6 APV times 0.5 lumen area.Intracoronary bolus injection of different dose AD(12μg,18μg,24 μg and 36μg,separately)was used to induce maximal coronary hyperemic reaction.CFR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic CBF to resting CBF.Results Intracoronary bolus injection of 18μg AD level induced a maximal coronary vasodilation.Significant difference in the hyperemic CBF existed between 12 μg AD dose and 24μg or 36μg AD dose(P＜0.05).No significant difference in heart rate,blood pressure,rCBF and CFR was found among three different AD dose groups(18μg,24μg,and 36μg).Conclusion CBF and CFR in mini-swine can be effectively assessed by bolus injection of AD with the dose of(18～24)μg.

Objective To investigate diagnostic value of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) for mucosal lesions of patients with active ulcerative colitis. Methods A total of 19 consecutive patients, including 12 males and 7 females, were enrolled from July 2009 to June 2010, with a mean age at 44. 16 + 14.64.Dominant symptoms were hematochezia, diarrhea and abdominal pain, consistent with the criteria of ulcerative colitis. All cases were scored into 3 grades according to severity of mucosal lesions. Using conventionalcolonoscopic findings as golden standard, the consistence of mucosal classification of CCE was calculated with kappa- and P-value. Meanwhile, related data such as the rate of completion, colonic cleanliness and adverse reactions were also collected and analyzed. Results CCE revealed that mild, moderate and severe cases were 2, 8 and 9, respectively, while the 3 types shown by conventional colonoscopy were 3, 8 and 8,respectively. Kappa-value was 0. 826 and P-value was less than 0. 001, which indicated good consistence. In addition, the completion rate of CCE and excellent/fine rate of the colonic cleanliness were 100% (19/19)and 79% ( 15/19), respectively. There were no adverse reactions recorded. Conclusion With high diag-nostic consistency to conventional colonoscopy in classification of mucosa severity, CCE precisely reveals the mucosal lesions of ulcerative colitis and becomes a potential alternative to partially replace conventional colonoscopy, especially in surveillance.