Objective To evaluate the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and coronary heart disease using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methods We studied carotid plaques in 312 patients with coronary artery disease by contrast-enhanced ultrasound [51 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 261 patients with stable coronary artery disease (sCAD) ]. We analyzed sonographic features of each plaque, including the enhancement intensity of plaque (A value), the ratio of plaque to carotid artery lumen in enhancement intensity (Ratio), plaque thickness and plaque echo (soft plaque, hard plaque, mixed plaque, calcified plaque). Results The average thickness of plaque in patients with ACS and in patients with sCAD had no significant difference in statistics [(2.6±0.4) mm vs (2.9±0.8) mm, t=-1.903, P=0.058) ]. The group with ACS:soft plaque 43 (84.3%, 43/51), mixed plaque 8 (15.7%,8/51), no hard plaque and calcified plaque. And the group with sCAD:soft plaque 174 (66.7%,174/261), hard plaque 19 (7.3%,19/261), mixed plaques 16 (6.1%,16/261), calcified plaque 52 (19.9%,52/261). The percentage of soft plaque in the acute coronary syndrome group was significantly higher than that in stable coronary artery disease group (χ2=6.274,P=0.012). The A value and Ratio in patients with ACS were prominently larger than those in patients with sCAD [ (11.3±3.2) vs (8.9±3.3) dB, t=7.150,P<0.01;0.6±0.2 vs 0.4±0.2, t=7.419,P<0.01].Conclusion Carotid artery plaque neovascularization density was significantly higher in patients with ACS than that in patients with sCAD by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, revealing that the neovascularization density is closely related to clinical symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Shenshuai Formula(composed of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Zingibere et Alumine,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Poria,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Bambusae Caulis in Taenia,Morindae Officinalis Radix,Centellae Herba,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)on patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)at stage 3-4 of spleen-kidney qi deficiency with internal accumulation of turbid-phlegm and stasis type.Methods Seventy patients with CKD at stage 3-4 of spleen-kidney qi deficiency with internal accumulation of turbid-phlegm and stasis type were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group was given the conventional western medicine integrated treatment for CKD,and the treatment group was given the Chinese herbal decoction of Shenshuai Formula on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 8 weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,renal function indicators of serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum cystatin C(CysC),blood uric acid(UA)and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),and the level of hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in the two groups before and after the treatment were observed.Moreover,the TCM syndrome efficacy and clinical safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,5 cases in the treatment group and 3 cases in the control group fell off,and eventually a total of 62 patients were included in the trial,including 30 cases in the treatment group and 32 cases in the control group.(2)After 8 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy of the treatment group was 86.67%(26/30),and that of the control group was 59.38%(19/32).The intergroup comparison showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was more obvious than that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the renal function indicator levels of Scr,BUN,CysC and UA in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the level of eGFR was increased when compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease in the levels of Scr,BUN,CysC and UA and the increase in the level of eGFR in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the inflammatory factor level of serum hs-CRP in the two groups was improved when compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)During the treatment period,no significant changes in the safety indicators such as blood routine test,stool routine test and occult blood test,liver function,electrolyte,and electrocardiogram were presented in the two groups.Conclusion Shenshuai Formula exerts certain effect in the treatment of patients with CKD at stage 3-4 of spleen-kidney qi deficiency with internal accumulation of turbid-phlegm and stasis type.It can relieve the clinical symptoms of the patients to certain extent,effectively decrease the levels of Scr,BUN,CysC and UA,increase the eGFR,improve renal function,lower the level of serum hs-CRP,reduce the micro-inflammatory state of patients,and delay the progress of the disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVECombined hypoxic cytotoxic drugs and chemoradiotherapy is an important mean of oncotherapy, and Tirapazamine (TPZ) is one of the most remarkable drugs. It has been shown that TPZ has a synergistic effect with radiotherapy on tumor cells, but whether TPZ would down-regulate the expression of the hypoxia-induced genes has not been reported. This study was to investigate the hypoxia-induced mRNA expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and osteopontin (OPN) in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells and the radiosensitization of TPZ, a hypoxia-specific drug, on HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe IC50 values of TPZ for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells were measured using MTT assay, and the mRNA expressions of HIF-1alpha and OPN in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells was determined using RT-PCR under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, respectively. The survival rates of HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with or without TPZ at IC10 in the presence or absence of oxygen for 6 h were determined using colony formation assay following exposure to 1-6 Gy of 60Co radiation. The dose-survival curves were plotted and the values of D0, Dq and SER were calculated as a single-hit multitarget model.

RESULTSThe IC50 values of TPZ were 34.81 μmol/L and 35.02 μmol/L in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells under aerobic condition, and 30.20 μmol/L and 28.48 μmol/L under hypoxic condition, respectively. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and OPN mRNA were reduced by TPZ in HNE-1 cells, but not in CNE-1 cells under hypoxic condition. For the HNE-1 cells, the respective values of D0 and Dq were 0.89 Gy and 0.28 Gy following normoxic irradiation versus 1.47 Gy and 0.44 Gy following hypoxic irradiation. For the CNE-1 cells, the respective values of D0 and Dq were 0.72 Gy and 0.68 Gy following normoxic irradiation versus 0.95 Gy and 0.56 Gy following hypoxic irradiation. The values of D0 and Dq for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with TPZ under hypoxic condition following irradiation were 0.66 Gy, 0.21 Gy and 0.85 Gy, 0.79 Gy, respectively.

CONCLUSIONTPZ can down-regulate hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1alpha and OPN mRNA of HNE-1 cells and radiosensitize the HNE-1 cells but not CNE-1 cells, and act as a hypoxia modifier.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Radiation Tolerance ; drug effects ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Triazines ; pharmacology

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy ( FSRT ) combined with temozolomide ( TMZ ) for large brain metastases ( BMs ) in a prospective phaseⅡclinical trial.Methods From 2010 to 2015, a total of 33 patients were enrolled as subjects.The median Karnofsky Performance Status scores before and after treatment were 70 and 80, respectively.The major primary tumor was non-small cell lung cancer (57.6%).The brain metastasis had a diameter of≥3 cm or a volume of ≥6 cm3 .The radiation dose was 52 Gy in 13 fractions or 52.2 Gy in 15 fractions.Patients received TMZ at a dose of 75 mg/m2 per day concurrently.The radiotherapy was followed by 6 cycles of adjuvant treatment with TMZ (150 mg/m2, days 1-5, 28 days per cycle).Patients were reexamined by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) during the treatment.The radiation field would be shrunk if the gross target volume ( GTV) was reduced by≥20%.The treatment outcomes were evaluated by MRI at 2-3 months after treatment.Results The total numbers of tumors and GTVs were 95 and 38, respectively. Twenty-four (63%) out of the 38 GTVs had a volume larger than 10 cm3 and the median GTV was 15.3 cm3 (5.7-142.8 cm3).Twenty-two (67%) out of the 33 patients achieved field shrinking during the treatment, and the median reduction rate of GTV was 44%( 21%-88%) .The median total dose was 59.5 Gy, and 100%and 21.2%of patients completed the concurrent and adjuvant treatment with TMZ, respectively.In all patients, the overall response rate was 97.0%;the 1-year local control, intracranial progression-free
survival, and overall survival rates were 97%, 70%, and 62%, respectively;the median survival time was 15.3 months.The main adverse reactions were grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting.One patient got grade 3 liver function impairment.Conclusions FSRT combined with TMZ is a safe and effective approach for treating large BMs.More than 50%of patients can achieve field shrinking to shorten treatment duration and reduce toxicity.Clinical Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov,registration number:NCT02654106.

OBJECTIVE: To construct STR slippage model and study factors involved in this procedure. METHODS: DNA samples were amplified with the technology of Degenerate oligonucleotide- primed PCR, then their products were taken as later DNA template and their STR genotype were analyzed by optimizing several factors. RESULTS: STR slippage model was constructed. CONCLUSION Several factors were involved in the produce of STR slippage, such as amount of modulate DNA, concentration of MgCl2, property of DNA polymerase, motif sequence of STR loci, sample, etc.
DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Primers ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Models, Genetic ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

Background and Objective: Combined hypoxic cytotoxic drugs and chemoradiotherapy is an important mean of oncotherapy, and tirapazamine (TPZ) is one of the most remarkable drugs. It has been shown that TPZ has a synergistic effect with radiotherapy on tumor cells, but whether TPZ would down-regulate the expression of the hypoxia-induced genes has not been reported. This study was to investigate the hypoxiainduced expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells and the radiosensitization of TPZ, a hypoxia-specific drug, on HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells in vitro. Methods: The IC_(50) values of TPZ for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells were measured using MTT assay, and the expression of HIF-1α and OPN mRNA in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells was determined using RT-PCR under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, respectively. The survival rates of HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with or without TPZ at IC_(10) in the presence or absence of oxygen for 6 h were determined using colony forming assay following exposure to 1-6 Gy of ~(60)Co radiation, and the dose-survival curves were plotted and the values of D_0, D_q and SER were calculated as a singlehit multitarget model. Results: The IC_(50) values of TPZ were 34.81 μmol/L and 35.02 μmol/L in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells under aerobic condition, and 30.20 μmol/L and 28.48 μmol/L under hypoxic condition. The expressions of HIF-1α and OPN mRNA were reduced by TPZ in HNE-1 cells, but not in CNE-1 cells under hypoxic condition. The values of D_0 and D_q in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells following irradiation under aerobic and hypoxic conditions were 0.89 Gy, 0.28 Gy and 0.72 Gy, 0.68 Gy, and 1.47 Gy, 0.44 Gy and 0.95 Gy,0.56 Gy, respectively. The values of D_0 and D_q for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with TPZ under hypoxic condition following irradiation were 0.66 Gy,0.21 Gy and 0.85 Gy, 0.79 Gy, respectively. Conclusion: TPZ would downregulate hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1α and OPN mRNA of HNE-1 cells and radiosensitize the HNE-1 cells but not CNE-1 cells, and act as a hpoxia modifier.

Objective To study the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS). Methods Ten normal hearing volunteers(youth group),10 normal hearing of elderly (aged group) and 8 patients with presbycusis (presbycusis group ) were checked with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. N-acetylaspartic acid ( NAA),creatine ( Cr),choline ( Cho),γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA),glutamic acid ( Glu ) compound were measured.The differences between the groups were semi-quantitatively analyzed.Results When compared with youth group,reduced NAA/Cr,increased Cho/Cr were found in the aged group and presbycusis group (P ＜ 0.05 ). GABA/Cr ratio and Glu/Cr ratio were significant difference between presbycusis group and youth group(P ＜ 0.05 ). There were no significant difference in the GABA/Cr and Glu/Cr ratios in the bilateral auditory cortex between the youth group and the aged group(P ＞ 0.05 ).When compared with aged group,the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis were remarkable ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions 1H-MRS is a noninvasive technique that can provide useful information concerning the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in human. In comparison to the aged group and the youth group,the changes of NAA,GABA,Cho and Glu is found in auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis.

OBJECTIVETo study the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS).

METHODSTen normal hearing volunteers (youth group), 10 normal hearing of elderly (aged group) and 8 patients with presbycusis (presbycusis group) were checked with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu) compound were measured. The differences between the groups were semi-quantitatively analyzed.

RESULTSWhen compared with youth group, reduced NAA/Cr, increased Cho/Cr were found in the aged group and presbycusis group (P < 0.05). GABA/Cr ratio and Glu/Cr ratio were significant difference between presbycusis group and youth group (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference in the GABA/Cr and Glu/Cr ratios in the bilateral auditory cortex between the youth group and the aged group (P > 0.05). When compared with aged group, the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis were remarkable (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS(1)H-MRS is a noninvasive technique that can provide useful information concerning the metabolic changes of auditory cortex in human. In comparison to the aged group and the youth group, the changes of NAA, GABA, Cho and Glu is found in auditory cortex in patients with presbycusis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Auditory Cortex ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Choline ; metabolism ; Creatine ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Presbycusis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe effect of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients is still ambiguous. This study aimed to analyze pregnancy outcomes of IVF with or without OHSS in Chinese patients.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was undertaken to compare pregnancy outcomes between 190 women with OHSS and 197 women without OHSS. We examined the rates of clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, miscarriage, live birth, preterm delivery, preterm birth before 34 weeks' gestation, cesarean delivery, low birth weight (LBW), and small-for-gestational age (SGA) between the two groups. Odds ratios (OR s) and 95% confidence intervals (CI s) of measure of clinical pregnancy were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe clinical pregnancy rate of OHSS patients was significantly higher than that of non-OHSS patients (91.8% vs. 43.5%, P < 0.001). After controlling for drug protocol and causes of infertility, the adjusted OR s of moderate OHSS and severe/critical OHSS for clinical pregnancy were 4.65 (95% CI, 1.86-11.61) and 5.83 (95% CI, 3.45-9.86), respectively. There were no significant differences in rates of multiple pregnancy (4.0% vs. 3.7%) and miscarriage (16.1% vs. 17.5%) between the two groups. With regard to ongoing clinical pregnancy, we also found no significant differences in the rates of live birth (82.1% vs. 78.8%), preterm delivery (20.9% vs. 17.5%), preterm birth before 34 weeks' gestation (8.6% vs. 7.9%), cesarean delivery (84.9% vs. 66.3%), LBW (30.2% vs. 23.5%), and SGA (21.9% vs. 17.6%) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONOHSS, which occurs in the luteal phase or early pregnancy in IVF patients and represents abnormal transient hemodynamics, does not exert any obviously adverse effect on the subsequent pregnancy.

Adult ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Male ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Temperature ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult