Objective To semiquantify salivary gland damage after 131I treatment in patients post thyroidectomy using salivary gland scintigraphy. Methods Fifty-six patients underwent salivary gland scintigraphy 6 months after 131I ablation therapy following thyroidectomy, including 21 with both baseline (before 131I treatment) and follow-up (6 months after the 1st 131I treatment) imaging. Salivary gland function was quantified by uptake ratios at 4 minutes (UR4) and 15 minutes (UR15), and excretory index at maximum secretion (MS), time duration from stimulation to minimum count (Tmin ). Paired t test was used for the 21 patients with both baseline and follow-up imaging. All the studies were divided into four groups: before 131I therapy, after 1st therapy, after 2nd therapy, and after 3rd or more times of therapy. Group differences were evaluated by the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between the parameters and times of therapy. Results After the 1st 131I therapy, UR15 for the left and right parotid glands were 16% and 14% lower than the baseline, respectively (t=2.188, 3.322, both P<0.05). All the other parameters were not significantly different from those of baseline (t: -0.952 to 2.039, all P>0.05). Among the four groups, significantly different parameters for both parotid glands were found: UR4, UR15, MS for the left parotid of the four groups were 1.76±0.29, 2.60±0.38, (72.8±24.2)%; 1.55±0.34, 2.15±0.51, (64.4±21.6)%; 1.55±0.40, 2.02±0.68, (57.2±34.2)%; 1.45±0.33, 1.69±0.46, (30.6±36.9)%; respectively (F values for UR4 and UR15 were 7.018, 3.112 and H value for MS was 12.240, all P<0.05). UR4, UR15, MS for the right parotid were 1.81±0.33, 2.57±0.51, (69.1±18.5)%; 1.61±0.38, 2.19±0.59, (64.2±25.0)%; 1.60±0.42, 2.00±0.62, (53.2±41.7)%; 1.48±0.38, 1.63±0.29, (26.1±45.9)%, respectively (F=13.393,10.194,H=26.569,all P<0.05). However, no statistical differences were P>0.05). According to pair-pair comparison, only the degree of reduction of UR15 for parotid glands was significantly different between the 1st and 2nd therapy (P<0.05). UR4, UR15, MS for bilateral parotid glands reduced significantly after 3 or more times of therapy (all P<0.05).The parametres UR4, UR15, MS were correlated with times of 131I therapy (r:-0.296 to -0.566, all P<0.05). Conclusions Salivary uptake function is impaired slightly after the 1st radioiodine therapy. After several times of therapy, both parotid uptake and excretion functions are impaired. Submandibular functions are not affected even after repeated 131I therapy.

Objective To explore the function of colonic mucosal barrier of patients with colonic slow transit constipation (STC).Methods From June 2008 to June 2012,a total of 136 patients with STC were enrolled.Among them,course of disease of 55 cases was between one and six years,of 43 cases was between six and 10 years,and of 38 cases was over 10 years.The colonic transit time of 66 cases was between three and five days,of 42 cases was between five and seven days,and of 28 cases was over seven days.Altogether,35 cases received subtotal resection of the colon.At same time,individuals who received partial resection of the colon because of single polypus were set as control group.Fasting blood and urine samples of all subjects were collected.The colonic specimens of STC patients who received surgery and control group were harvested.The urinary lactulose and mannitol ratio (L/M) was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The level of blood Dlactic acid (D-LAC) was tested by enzymatic spectrophotometric.The level of blood diamine oxidase (DAO) was determined by speetrophotometry.The level of endotoxin (ET) was detected by azo chromogenic substrate limulus test.The colonic epithelial cells membrane resistance (TER) and paracellular mannitol permeability (PMP) were measured with Ussing perfusion chamber.t-test was performed for comparison between groups.Results Urinary L/M of STC group and control group was 0.16±0.03 and 0.10±0.02,respectively.The level of blood D-LAC was (1.81±0.19) and (1.04±0.13) mmol/L.The level of blood DAO was (17.07±1.81) and (9.78±1.14) U/L.The level of blood ET was (64.20±6.85) and (51.30±5.90) EU/L.The TER of colonic epithelia cell was (61.23±7.76) and (75.87±9.65) Ω/cm2.The PMP of colonic epithelia cell was (3.17±0.35) ％ and (2.14 ±0.22)％.All the differences were statistically significant (t =3.185,3.378,3.863,3.201,3.125 and 3.543,all P＜0.05).Among patients with disease course between one and six years,six to 10 years and over 10 years,colonic transit time of STC between three and five days,five to seven days and over seven days,urinary L/M,blood D-LAC level and blood DAO level increased along with the disease course and colonic transit time and the differences were statistical significantly compared with control group (urinary L/M:t=1.993,2.311,2.356,2.204,2.347 and 3.673; blood D-LAC level:t=2.023,2.886,4.124,1.999,2.998 and 3.465; blood DAO level:t=1.994,2.995,4.423,2.203,3.673 and 5.211; all P＜0.05).Compared with control group,there were significant differences in blood ET level of course of STC between six and 10 years,over 10 years,colonic transit time of STC between five and seven days and over seven days (t=2.121,4.245,3.241 and 4.657,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The permeability of colonic mucosal barrier increased and which was more significant in longer colonic transit time and long course of disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Glucagon ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective An analysis was conducted to investigate the iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in low-coverage area of iodized salt of Yushu Qinghai province for providing a scientific basis for the development of effective preventive measures. Methods Yushu, Chengduo, Nangqian and Zaduo counties with higher non-iodized salt coverage rate in Yushu Qinghai province were chosen as survey counties in 2009. Three townships were selected in each county, and 2 primary schools were selected in each township and 40 urine samples of children aged 8-10 were collected randomly in each primary school. The content of urinary iodine was analyzed by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometery. Results Median urinary iodine of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian and Zaduo was < 100 μg/L. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of children aged 10 in Zaduo was 81.5 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of children aged 9 and 10 was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in children aged 9 and 10 of Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of girls in Zaduo was 87.1 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of boys in Zaduo was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of girls in Yushu was over 20%. Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian, Zaduo and Yushu counties were very low due to the impact of non-iodized salt. We propose salt market in the region to strengthen management and improve the coverage and consumption rates of iodized salt to improve the level of iodine nutrition for effective prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

BACKGROUNDMyocardial apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis-related myocardial depression. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial damage and mitochondria-induced oxidative stress during cardiac apoptosis in septic rats.

METHODSSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group and septic group receiving lipopolysaccharide injection. Heart tissue was removed and changes in cardiac morphology were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In situ apoptosis was examined using terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in myocardium by Western blotting to estimate myocardial apoptosis. Appearance of mitochondrial cristae and activation of cytochrome C oxidase were used to evaluate mitochondrial damage. Oxidative stress was assessed by mitochondrial lipid and protein oxidation, and antioxidant defense was assessed by mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity.

RESULTSSepsis-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardium degeneration and dropsy were time-dependent. Expanded capillaries were observed in the hearts of infected rats 24 hours post-challenge. Compared with sham-treated rats, the percentage of cell apoptosis increased in a time-dependent manner in hearts from septic rats at 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours post-injection (P < 0.05). The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 decreased gradually in the cytosol and increased in the nucleus during sepsis, indicating that septic challenge provoked the progressive activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Mitochondrial cristae and activation of cytochrome C oxidase increased in a time-dependent manner. Both superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased, while mitochondrial lipid and protein oxidation increased between 6 and 24 hours after lipopolysaccharide challenge.

CONCLUSIONSSeptic challenge induced myocardial apoptosis and mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, mitochondrial damage via alteration of defenses against reactive oxygen species might play an important role in myocardial apoptosis during sepsis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Humans ; Perineum ; Rhabdomyosarcoma/diagnosis*

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Curcuma ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of abdominal acupuncture plus cervical curvature traction in treating cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type. Method Eighty patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type were divided by the random number table into two groups, with 40 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by abdominal acupuncture plus cervical curvature traction, and the control group was given oral administration of flunarizine. The two groups were compared before and after treatment in terms of clinical symptom score, cervical vertigo symptom and function assessment scale, and hemodynamics, etc. Result Both groups attained significant efficacy, and the total effective rate was 92.5％ in the treatment group, markedly higher than 77.5％ in the control group (P<0.05); the score of cervical spondylosis symptom scale in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); after treatment, the evaluations of vertigo, neck-shoulder pain, headache, daily living and work, mental and social adaptation were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Abdominal acupuncture plus cervical curvature traction can obviously improve symptoms such as vertigo, neck-shoulder pain, headache, daily living and work, and mental and social adaptation, and boost the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar artery in patients with cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type. The achievement of therapeutic efficacy is associated with the improvement of vertebrobasilar blood supply.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical application of bioprosthetic valve replacement. METHODS: Fifty two patients, aged 13-73(52.4+/-14.0) years, underwent cardiac valve replacement with biovalves from June 2002 to June 2006 in our hospital. Fifty three tissue valve replacements combined with 8 mechanical valve replacements were performed. Other procedures were also carried out if appropriate, including bidirectional Glenn shunt in 1 patient with double outlet of right ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis; interruption of accessory pathway in 1 patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; coronary artery bypass graft in 5 with severe coronary artery disease; and atrial or ventricular repair in 4 with congenital septum defects. RESULTS: One patient died in hospital due to multiple organ failure. The hospital mortality rate was 1.9%. The mean follow-up was 25 months. Two patients lost follow-up and the follow-up rate was 96%. Forty one patients returned to NYHA class I, 9 to class II, and 1 to class III. Echocardiography showed the implanted bioprosthesis functioned well without stenosis or regurgitation. There was no structural deterioration with freedom from thromboembolism and anticoagulant hemorrhage in all patients. CONCLUSION The efficacy of biovalves in heart valve replacement is satisfactory.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bioprosthesis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tricuspid Valve ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of overexpression of Smad7 gene on cell proliferation in human bronchial epithelial cell lines.

METHODSHuman bronchial epithelial cell lines, BEP2D and BERP35T2 cells, were cotransfected with the mammalian expression vectors PCISmad7.neo and pMyc-SEAP, the latter was ac-myc cis-acting enhancer element fused with alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene. Expression of c-myc, p15 and p21 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR before and after stable transfection of Smad7 into BEP2D and BERP35T2 cells in order to study the regulation of TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition.

RESULTSAfter BEP2D and BERP35T2 cells transfected with Smad7, the transcriptional activity of c-myc was significantly increased. Smad7 overexpressing cells showed upregulation of c-myc expression and downregulation of p15 and p21 expression, which contributed to the loss of TGF-beta responses in these cells.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of Smad7 may facilitate cell proliferation by antagonizing TGF-beta-mediated antiproliferative gene responses.

Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Smad7 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics