Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Microfilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Myometrium ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

This study aims to explore the clinical value of the computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for early detection of the pulmonary nodules on digital chest X-ray. A total of 100 cases of digital chest radiographs with pulmonary nodules of 5-20 mm diameter were selected from Pictures Archiving and Communication System (PACS) database in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled into trial group, and other 200 chest radiographs without pulmonary nodules as control group. All cases were confirmed by CT examination. Firstly, these cases were diagnosed by 5 different-seniority doctors without CAD, and after three months, these cases were re-diagnosed by the 5 doctors with CAD. Subsequently, the diagnostic results were analyzed by using SPSS statistical methods. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity for detecting pulmonary nodules tended to be improved by using the CAD system, especially for specificity, but there was no significant difference before and after using CAD system.
China ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax

Metabolic abnormalities were identified and carotid intima-media-thickness(IMT)was measured in 221 individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome(MS).The results indicated that IMT was significantly thicker in MS individuals than that in non-MS individuals(P＜0.01).And there was a tendency of progressive increase in IMT with increasing components of metabolic syndrome.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death. Safflower attracts great attention owing to its anti-ischemia/reperfusion injury effect. Ninety-three patients with CAD were included and randomized into safflower treatment group, PCI group and control group. Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed to measure end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) to determine the recovery of hibernating myocardium and cardiac function in all patients before treatment and after 3-month follow-up. The study was to investigate the effects of safflower on hibernating myocardial revascularization and cardiac function. It was found that LVEF was significantly improved, while the ESV and WMSI were significantly reduced after 2-week treatment in safflower and PCI treatment groups. No significant differences were found between safflower and PCI treatment groups in ESV, EDV, WMSI and LVEF after treatment Safflower injection effectively improved hibernating myocardial function.
Aged ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Myocardial Stunning ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Recovery of Function

Objective To construct PPAR?and PPAR?response element (PPRE)-controlled luciferase expression vectors,and to determine whether the traditional Chinese medicine emodin activates PPAR?and improves the glucose uptake by HepG2 hepatocytes.Methods (1) PPAR?and PPRE luciferase expression vectors were constructed and were applied to screen more than 20 ingredients of the traditional Chinese medicine. (2) HepG2 cells were incubated with emodin which can activate PPAR?and PPRE luciferase activity,and the PPAR?mRNA expression level was evaluated by RT-PCR/Southern blot.(3) PPAR?and glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) proteins were determined by Western blot analysis in HepG2 cells treated with emodin.(4) The glucose uptake rate was measured using 2-deoxy-[~3H]-D-glucose in HepG2 cells after treatment with emodin.Results (1) Emodin stimulated luciferase activity controlled by PPRE in dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0.04 to 180?mol/L in COS-7 cells.The highest value was about 4 folds of control in the cells treated with 90?mol/L emodin (P

BACKGROUND: The optimal screening tools for hepat ocellular carcinoma are regular tests of alpha fetoprotein (aFP)and liver ultrasonography every 6 months in high risk group. To implement successful long-term project for reducing cancer-mortality,it is essential to know the reasons f or non-compliance among the high risk group. METHODS: A telephone survey was done a mong the hepatitis B surface antigen positive patient group who had not receiveda follow-up test of aFP and liver ultrasonography. This group was selected among the patients who had received health examinations from January,2002 to December,2002 at a university hospital center for health promotion, and the reasons for non-compliance were inquired. RESULTS: There were no stati stical di fferences i n educational level,economic status,age,and sex between the patient group who had taken appropriate follow-up tests and the group who had not. But there were statistically significant differences in the admission history and t ransf usi on hi st ory bet ween t he t wo groups. The reasons for non-compliance were as follows:1. ignorance to the significance of follow-up examination (41.7%),2.lack of time (27.8%),3.no specific signs of cancer (22.2%),4.high costs (5.6%),and 5.fear of discovering serious disease. CONCLUSION: It is important to have patients educated on the significance of screening and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Compliance ; Early Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Mass Screening* ; Telephone ; Ultrasonography

Upper extremity replantation is relatively less commonly performed than finger or hand replantation. We have experienced one case of forearm replantation and one case of upper arm replantation. After the replantation, limb volume at the biceps brachii muscle level below the replantation level appeared to be appropriate, however, the motor function of the muscles and the sensitivity were disappointing. For replantation of forearm and upper arm, restoration of the motor function and sensitivity of the extremity below the amputation level as well as the morphologic reconstruction have to be considered.
Amputation ; Arm* ; Extremities ; Fingers ; Forearm* ; Hand ; Muscles ; Replantation* ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE:We investigated the production of oxygen hydroxyl radicals in the striatum of neonatal rat brain after intrastriatal injection of dopamine (DA) and the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the apoptosis of striatal neurons injured by hypoxia-ischemia. METHODS:The extracellular striatal levels of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 2,5-DHBA as indicators of hydroxyl radical(OH-) production were measured by in vivo microdialysis in the striatums of 7 day-old newborn rats (n=10) after direct intrastriatal infusion of dopamine hydrochloride (1.0 micromol/microL). The samples of perfused artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected every 10 minutes interval. The levels of DA, 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA of CSF were analysed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Also, the brains were removed at 24 hour after hypoxic-ischemic injury by Rice-Vannucci method. The coronal sections (12 micrometer) of paraffin-fixed brains were stained by TUNEL (terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labelling) technique, and the neuronal cells undergoing apoptosis in the striatum were observed by fluorescent microscopy and compared between GH-treated (50 mg/kg, Dong-Ah Pharmacy Co.) and saline-treated rats. RESULTS:The extracellualr striatal levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA increased abruptly in the first 10 minutes samples after intrastriatal injection of DA. After then, the levels declined slowely. The levels of striatal extracelluar 2.3-DHBA increased up to 621.8+/-508.7% of basal levels (P<0.05), and the levels of 2.5-DHBA increased up to 262.8+/-198.1% of basal levels (P<0.05). GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. CONCLUSION: The level of hydroxyl radicals increased abruptly after intrastriatal injection of DA and GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Hydroxyl Radical* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infant, Newborn* ; Microdialysis ; Microscopy ; Neurons* ; Oxygen ; Pharmacy ; Rats*

OBJECTIVETo study the genes differentially expressed in the liver of Kkay diabetic and normal mice by genomic-scale gene expression analysis.

METHODScDNA microarray chips containing 8,192 cDNAs were used to explore the gene expression pattern of Kkay mouse liver.

RESULTSOne hundred and fifty-four genes were screened out, including 68 complete cDNAs and expressed sequence tags, and among them 40 genes were up-regulated and 114 genes were down-regulated respectively.

CONCLUSIONMost of the gene expression analysis results were consistent with previous study, and the gene expression pattern of Kkay mouse based on cDNA microarray could be used for high-throughout screening out the genes associated with type 2 diabetes.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism