OBJECTIVETo observe effects of Yiqi Huoxue Qufeng Decoction (YHQD, with the actions of replenishing qi, activating blood, and dispelling wind) on diamine oxidase (DAO) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) of patients with chronic urticaria.

METHODSEighty-five chronic urticaria patients from the clinics of dermatology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomly assigned to the treatment group (50 cases) and the control group (35 cases). Besides, another 15 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy group. Patients in the treatment group took YHQD, one dose daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients in the control group took Fuyang Granule (FYG), 6 g each time, three times daily. The therapeutic course for the two groups was 8 weeks. The effective rates of the two groups were observed after treatment and 2 months after quitting treatment. The levels of DAO and IgE were observed in the three groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe post-treatment recovery rate (20 cases, 44.0%) and the effective rate 2 months after quitting treatment (62.0%) were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (7 cases, 20.0%; 31.4%) with statistical difference (P<0.05). The DAO level in the two treatment groups (6.9 +/- 1.8 in the treatment group and 6.5 +/- 1.8 in the control group) was obviously higher than that in the healthy group (1.1 +/- 0.4), showing statistical difference (P<0.05). The post-treatment DAO and IgE both decreased in the treatment group and the control group when compared with before treatment in the same group. Those were lower in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONYHQD could improve the symptoms of chronic urticaria patients, ameliorate the intestines mucosa barrier function and the immunity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Urticaria ; blood ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Angiography* ; Glomus Tumor* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of bilirubin/albumin (B/A) ratio and acidosis with abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia and its clinical significance.

METHODSA total of 967 neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia between November 2008 and October 2009 were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups according to their BAEPs: normal BAEP group (n=799) and abnormal BAEP group (n=168). Univariate analysis and age-stratified Chi-square test were used to determine the relationship of B/A ratio and acidosis with BAEP.

RESULTSThe univariate analysis showed that the abnormal BAEP group had significantly lower pH and base excess values and a significantly higher B/A ratio compared with the normal BAEP group (P<0.05). The age-stratified Chi-square test showed that neonates with acidosis or with a B/A ratio greater than 1.0 had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal BAEPs than those without acidosis or with a B/A ratio less than 1.0 in any age (days) group of neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh B/A ratio and acidosis are the risk factors for abnormal BAEPs in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, which is the case for those in any age group. In order to reduce the incidence of hearing loss in any age group of neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, we should correct the acidosis and lower the B/A ratio as soon as possible.

Acidosis ; physiopathology ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Serum Albumin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA, and explore the changes of apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS).

METHODSOf 18 CMS patients and 16 controls were enrolled in this study. The apoptotic index (AI) of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) was measured by TUNEL technique, the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in BMMNC of CMS patients and controls were determined by RT-PCR. Results (1)The AI of BMMNC in patients with CMS (8.51 ± 3.35)% was lower than that in controls (16.00 ± 4.28)% (P < 0.01); (2) The values of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA were (0.28 ± 0.07) and (0.23 ± 0.08) respectively, in CMS patients, which were significantly lower than those of (0.45 ± 0.09) and (0.41 ± 0.09) respectively, in the controls (both P < 0.01); (3) Hemoglobin (Hb) value was negatively correlated with levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA (r values were -0.52 and -0.61 respectively, both P < 0.05) in CMS patients. There was a negative correlation between AI and Hb (r value was -0.89, P < 0.01) in CMS patients. However, the significant relationship was not found between AI and level of caspase-8 or caspase-9 mRNA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed a decrease apoptosis of BMMNCs and reduced levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 mRNA in CMS patients, the latter might be involved in the change of BMMNCs apoptosis.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profile of serum micro (mi)RNAs in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and investigate the regulatory contribution of miRNAs to the invasive and metastasis.

METHODSMicroarray analysis was carried out using serum samples collected from 30 patients with CCA, bile duct cancer tissues and the corresponding normal tissues collected from 10 patients, and serum samples from 50 healthy volunteers. The miRNAs identified as dysregulated in CCA were verified by RT-PCR. Focused analysis on miR-224 was carried out using the human CCA cell lines HCCC-9810 and RBE to investigate the role of this miRNA in IL-6 expression (using IL-6 induction), cell growth, invasiveness and metastasis (using miR-224 mimic transfection). The one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSForty-three miRNAs were dysregulated in CCA (vs. non-CCA, P<0.01), of which 22 were upregulated and 21 were downregulated. RT-PCR data showed that the miR-224 was significantly upregulated in serum as well as in cancer tissue from CCA patients. Induction of HCCC-9810 and RBE cells with IL-6 showed a time-dependent upregulation of miR-224. Furthermore, the HCCC-9810 and RBE cells transfected with miR-224 mimic showed enhanced cell growth, invasiveness and migratory ability.

CONCLUSIONIL-6 may promote the invasive and metastatic properties of CCA through upregulated miR-224. Studies of the differentially expressed serum miRNAs in CCA may help to further elucidate the pathogenic processes of this disease and aid in the development of a novel and effective therapeutic strategy.

Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; MicroRNAs ; Microarray Analysis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the biological effects of the paracrine from ADSC after being stimulated by insulin on vascular endothelial cells.

METHODS(1) ADSC was isolated from human adipose tissue and cultured in vitro. The third generation cells were collected and divided into insulin group (I, cultured with serum-free DMEM containing 1 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin) and control group (C, cultured with serum-free DMEM) according to the random number table, with 6 slots in each group. Three days later, ADSC culture medium (ADSC-CM) was collected for determination of levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by ELISA. (2) Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured to the third generation, and they were cultured with special nutrient solution and divided into ADSC-CM with insulin stimulation group (AI), ADSC-CM without insulin stimulation group (AC), insulin group (I, with same concentration as above), blank control group (BC) according to the random number table. Three days later, proliferation of HUVEC was determined with MTT method (with expression of absorbance value). Another two samples of HUVEC were respectively divided into 4 groups as above for determination of apoptosis rate with Annexin V/FITC double-staining 12 hours after culture, and HUVEC migration with scratch adhesion test at post scratch hour (PSH) 12, 24, 36, 48. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with those in C group [(287 +/- 47), (577 +/- 84) pg/mL, respectively], the secretion levels of VEGF and HGF in I group [(643 +/- 64), (930 +/- 68) pg/mL, respectively] were significantly increased (with t value respectively 18.869, 18.475, P values all below 0.05). (2) The absorbance value of HUVEC in AI and AC groups was 0.847 +/- 0.042, 0.798 +/- 0.022, respectively, which were higher than that in I and BC groups [0.665 +/- 0.028 (with t value respectively 4.579, 3.732), 0.674 +/- 0.031 (with t value respectively 3.761, 4.073), P values all below 0.01], and that in AI group was higher than that in AC group (t = 2.576, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rates of HUVEC in AI and AC groups [(5.8 +/- 1.9)%, (9.0 +/- 2.0)%, respectively] were obviously lower as compared with that in I and BC groups [(30.4 +/- 6.0)% (with t value respectively 12.891, 10.417), (31.4 +/- 7.4)% (with t value respectively 11.474, 9.783), P values all below 0.05 ], and that in AC group was higher than that in AI group (t = 8.548, P < 0.05). The distance of migration of HUVEC in AI and AC groups were greater than that in I and BC groups at PSH 36, 48, and that in AI group was greater as compared with that in AC group (with t value respectively 4.076, 4.573, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSParacrine from ADSC after being stimulated by insulin can promote proliferation and migration of HUVEC, and suppress its apoptosis, and it is beneficial for tissue vascularization.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; secretion ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the supernatant of heat injured keratinocytes (KC) on biological behavior of the dermal fibroblasts (Fb).

METHODSHuman dermal Fb were isolated and cultured. A model of heat injured KC (HaCaT) was reproduced in vitro. Supernatant of normal KC and the supernatant of KC culture 12 hours after heat injury were collected and diluted with non-serum DMEM in 1:1 volume ratio to make normal KC conditioned medium (NKCM) and heat injury KC conditioned medium (HKCM) respectively. Fb was respectively treated with non-serum DMEM and 2 kinds of conditioned medium. (1) The proliferation of Fb was detected with MTT method at post culture hour (PCH) 12, 24, 36, 48. (2) The apoptosis of Fb was determined by flow cytometry at PCH 12 (Fb were heat injured in advance; Fb without heat treatment was used as control). (3) At PCH 24, expression of a-SMA in Fb cytoplasm was determined with immunofluorescence method; expression of a-SMA mRNA in Fb was determined with real-time quantified PCR. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, and pairwise comparison among groups with LSD-t test.

RESULTS(1) The proliferation of Fb: the absorbance value of Fb cultured with HKCM at PCH 12, 24, 36, 48 was respectively higher than that of Fb cultured with non-serum DMEM (with t value respectively 1.89, 2.35, 2.02, 1.94, and P values all below 0.01). There were significant statistical differences between the absorbance values of Fb cultured with HKCM and those of Fb cultured with NKCM at PCH 12, 24, and 48 (at PCH 12, t = 1.83, P < 0.01; at PCH 24, t = 2.91, P < 0.05; at PCH 48, t = 1.83, P < 0.05). (2) Apoptosis of Fb cultured with HKCM was diminished as compared with that of Fb cultured with NKCM and of Fb without treatment (t = 3.31, P < 0.05; t = 1.47, P < 0.01). (3) The expression of alpha-SMA (red fluorescence) in Fb cultured with non-serum DMEM or NKCM was less as seen under fluorescence scope, and it was obviously increased in Fb cultured with HKCM. (4) The relative expression amount of alpha-SMA mRNA in Fb cultured with HKCM was 1.32 +/- 0.06, which was higher than that both in Fb cultured with NKCM (1.14 +/- 0.07, t = 2.51, P < 0.05) and in Fb cultured with non-serum DMEM (1.00 +/- 0.09, t = 1.77, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe supernatant of KC 12 hours after heat injury can obviously promote the proliferation of Fb, inhibit its apoptosis and accelerate transdifferentiation of Fb to myofibroblasts.

Actins ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Heat Stress Disorders ; Hot Temperature ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Objective:To explore the screening scheme of gastric cancer in large-scale natural population in Wuxi.Methods:From December 2016 to December 2019, 105 865 residents of 19 communities (villages) in six streets of Xinwu District, Wuxi were randomly enrolled in this study by random number table. A household epidemiological questionnaire survey was conducted among 50 063 target population subjects (aged 40-69), and then, respondents were divided into four categories, category Ⅰ: HP (-), PG (-); category Ⅱ: HP (+ ), PG (-); category Ⅲ: HP (+ ), PG (+ ); category Ⅳ: HP (-), PG (+ )according to the serological Helicobacter pylori ( HP) antibodies and pepsinogen (PG) test results. People in category Ⅲ and Ⅳ were all selected into group C and group D respectively, then individuals 3 times of group D were randomly selected from category Ⅰ to assign to group A, and individuals 3 times of group C from category Ⅱwere assigned to group B in the same way. Remaining individuals in category Ⅰ and Ⅱ who had first-degree family history of gastric cancer were also included in group A and group B, respectively. Endoscopic and pathological examination were performed on the above enrolled subjects for high grade intraepithelialneoplasia (HGIN), early gastric cancer and gastric cancer. Results:Of the 50 063 target subjects, 31 508 questionnaires were finally collected, with a participation rate of 62.9%. A total of 19 745 people were tested for serology, and the participation rate was 39.4% (19 745/50 063). Serological results showed that there were 11 152 people (56.48%) in category Ⅰ, 8 170 (41.38%) in category Ⅱ, 124 (0.63%) in category Ⅲ, and 299 (1.51%) in category Ⅳ. According to the exclusion criteria and principle of voluntariness, 3 400 individuals were candidates to undergo gastroscopy. Finally, a total of 2 389 people came to the hospital for gastroscopy, 1 263 in group A, 814 in group B, 86 in group C and 226 in group D, with an overall response rate of 70.3% (2 389/3 400), target population participation rate of 4.8% (389/50 063), and the overall population participation rate of 2.3% (2 389/105 865). In the 2 389 cases, there were 32 cases (1.34%) of HGIN and gastric cancer by gastroscopy and biopsy pathology, among which 1 case (3.125%) aged 40-49, 9 (28.125%) aged 50-59, and 22 (68.750%) aged 60-69. Among the 32 cases, 25 cases (78.13%)were pathologically confirmed as having HGIN or early gastric cancer by endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgical operation. By eliminating 810 people (including 3 gastric cancer) without first-degree family history with gastric cancer in group Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and increasing the gastroscopy screening age to 50 years (exluding 214 people aged 40-49, including 1 gastric cancer), the number of people who should undergo gastroscopy could be reduced from 2 389 to 1 365, and 28 cases of HGIN or gastric cancer were still detected, including 22 HGIN or early gastric cancer.Conclusion:Gastroscopy after the screening with epidemiological, serological tests, age and first-degree relative with gastric cancer family history is suitable for gastric cancer screening in Wuxi. Based on Chinese national conditions, a new community gastric cancer screening program is recommended in Wuxi considering cost-effectiveness, which includes those over 50 years old, serological PG (+ ) and first-degree relatives with family history of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to analyse the efficacy and toxicity of CEOP regimen in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2000, 121 patients with NHL were treated by CEOP regimen with or without radiotherapy for the involved field. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival results were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf these 121 patients, 83 (68.6%) had B-cell NHL and 38(31.4%) peripheral T or NK-cell NHL; 55. 4% (67/121) had early disease (stage I or II), and 89.3% (108/121) had IPI score 0-2. The median age was 53 years (range: 7-79 yr). All patients were treated by CEOP regimen (totally, 471 cycles) with or without radiotherapy. The overall response (OR) rate in this series was 90.9% (110/121) with a complete remission (CR) rate of 71.9% (87/121); whereas the response rate of chemotherapy alone was 88.4% (107/121) with a CR rate of 67.8% (82/121). Major toxicity consisted of grade III-IV myelosuppression (11.9%), neutropenia (1.9%) and thrombocytopenia and anemia (1.1%). Alopecia was observed in 46.3%. However, cardiotoxicity was mild and reversible. Median follow-up duration in this series was 63 months (range: 2-116 months). The overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 84.8%, 62.7% and 55.9%, respectively, with a median survival time of 85 months (2-118 months).

CONCLUSIONOur data show that CEOP regimen combined with or without radiotherapy for the involved field is effective and well tolerated by the patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Prednisone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Vincristine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of gait training and assessment system of Lokomat automatic robot (Lokomat robot) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Based on Hoehn-Yahr scale, 30 PD patients ranging from stage 2.5 to 3 were included and randomly assigned to Lokomat robot group ( n＝15) and control group ( n＝15).Lokomat robot system was employed in the training session of the Lokomat robot group, whereas patients in the control group were trained under auditory and visual guidance.Each training session lasted for 20 minutes, and repeated three days per week.Three motor assessments were performed before and after the four weeks training , including timed up and go test (TUGT), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Ⅲ(UPDRS-Ⅲ) and three-dimensional gait analysis. Repeated measure analysis was performed under general linear mode , using SPSS 20.0.Results Gender, age, height and age of onset were matched in the Lokomat robot and the control groups .Scores of UPDRS-Ⅲ(Lokomat robot group , 23.46 ±2.72 vs 15.87 ±2.07; control group, 23.73 ±1.98 vs 18.07 ±0.80) and results of TUGT (Lokomat robot group, (15.42 ±5.59) vs (10.06 ±4.88) min; control group, (15.75 ± 4.67) vs (12.98 ±3.24) min) showed statistically significant differences before and after the gait training (UPDRS-Ⅲ, F＝258.598, P＝0.000; TUGT, F＝64.998, P＝0.000), and between the two groups (UPDRS-Ⅲ, F＝5.492, P＝0.026; TUGT, F＝6.522, P＝0.016).The step length (Lokomat robot group, (40.00 ±7.05) vs (52.70 ±7.62) cm; control group, (39.16 ±4.52) vs (46.72 ±7.29) cm), stride length (Lokomat robot group, (76.03 ±12.50) vs (90.60 ±12.46) cm; control group, (77.25 ± 8.07 ) vs (88.21 ±8.17) cm), walking pace ( Lokomat robot group, (67.16 ±12.79) vs (83.72 ± 10.96) m/min; control group, (65.35 ±11.56) vs (77.18 ±10.60) m/min), and total supporting phase (Lokomat robot group, 62.31% ±3.32% vs 56.05% ±3.98%; control group, 62.52% ±3.73% vs 57.96%±3.51%) showed significant improvement after training ( step length, F＝90.866, P＝0.000;stride length, F＝218.152, P＝0.000; walking pace, F＝172.236, P＝0.000; total supporting phase , F＝197.945, P＝0.000).Meanwhile, these improvements were more significant in the Lokomat robot group than the control group ( step length, F＝5.853, P＝0.022; stride length, F＝4.346, P＝0.046;walking pace, F＝4.904, P＝0.035; total supporting phase, F＝4.845, P＝0.036).No significant difference in step frequency was found before and after gait training.Conclusion Both gait trainings improved walking ability in PD patients , and Lokomat robot system guided training showed more obvious improvement than the traditional training under hearing and visual cue.