Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of endovascular stent angioplasty in treating symptomatic stenosis of middle cerebral artery.Methods Endovascular angioplasty with coronary stents was performed in 27 patients with symptomatic stenosis of middle cerebral artery.The clinical results were reviewed and analyzed.Results Of the total 27 patients,successful placement of the coronary stents Was achieved in 24.Angiography immediately after the procedure showed that the stenotic degree of the diseased artery was markedly decreased from preoperative (80±19)%to postoperative (8±4)%,the improvement was very obvious.Percutaneous transcatheter angioplasty had to be employed in two cases because of the failure of stent placement.A mean follow-up period of 18 months was carried out.During the following up period no transient cerebral ischemia attack occurred in 25 patients and no newly-developed cerebral infarction in region fed by the responsible vessels occurred either.Re=irrigation cerebral hemorrhage was seen in one patient,which occurred three hours after the placement of the stent.In one case the placed stent fell off and immigrated into the siphon of internal carotid artery,and the displaced stent Was took out later with a catching apparatus.In another case re-stenosis occurred six months after the stenting.Conclusion Percutaneous endovaacular stent angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic stenosis of middle cerebral artery,although its long-term results need to be further evaluated.

Objective To explore the correlation between environmental selenium(Se) levels and cognitive ability among rural elderly population, and the effect of Se on cognitive skill of the elderly. Methods Two study sites(Zichuan district and Gaomi city of Shandong) with different environmental Se levels were selected according to rural elderly people ≥ 65 years were extracted by stratified random sampling method in each site. A retrospective survey was carried out using dietary intake questionnaire for the elderly for the past 1 year, and their daily total Se intake was calculated. Questionnaire was also used to obtain cognitive skill information in the elderly people. The Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Word List Learning Test, the Indiana University (IU) Story Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test, and the IU Token Test were applied to assess the cognitive ability. Se level in these samples was analyzed. Correlation between the Se levels of environment and those of human body were analyzed statistically. Results There were 0.163), (0.405 ± 0.086)]mg/kg and nail Se[(147.44 ± 17.42), (117.38 ± 22.48)μg/L]between the two groups (U = 31.59, 25.00, 23.67, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were positive correlation among the nail Se, environmental Se and Se in all subjects(r = 0.51,0.46, 0.60, all P ＜ 0.01 ). The differences of the CSID total score, the CERAD Word List Learning Test, the CERAD Word List Recall Test and the IU Story Recall Test between the two sites were statistically significant(F = 2.56, 9.18, 7.48, 4.42, all P ＜ 0.05), excluding the Indiana University Story Recall Test.After eliminating possible confounding factors, the Se levels and the CSID total score, the IU Story Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test and the IU Story Token Test had a significantly positive correlation (r = 0.076, 0.138, 0.042,0.107, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ), excluding the CERAD Word List Learning Test. Conclusions This study supports the hypothesis that a life long low Se level is associated with lower cognitive ability. The cognitive abilities in the elderly population lived in areas with high environmental selenium levels are significantly higher than that of the elderly lived in areas with low environmental selenium levels.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect and toxicity of chemotherapy, used alone or in combined with Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma (ACRC).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-two patients with ACRC were equally randomized by digital table, to the treated group, treated by chemotherapy of FOLFOX regimen combined with SFI, and the control group treated by FOLFOX regimen alone. The therapeutic effect and adverse reaction of the treatment in patients were assessed.

RESULTSThe effective rate (CR +PR) was 63.2% (48/76) in the treated group and 46.1% (35/76) in the control group, showing significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The median survival time in the two groups was 31 weeks and 28 weeks respectively. CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly increased in the treated group (1.56 +/- 0.21, 1.64 +/- 0.28, P < 0.05), but significantly decreased in the control group (1.58 +/- 0.22, 1.46 +/- 0.33, P < 0.01). Quality of life in the former group was higher than that in the latter group (P < 0.05). Times/case of nausea, vomiting, leukopenia occurring in the control group was more than those in the treated group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy combining with SFI, some adverse reactions of chemotherapy (such as nausea, vomiting, leukopenia) and its influence on patients' immunity could be alleviated in treating ACRC, which might enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life and prolong the median survival time in patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate

Aim With metabolomics method, to study Shen-Mai decoction’ s function on protecting the myo-cardial injured rats caused by doxorubicin for probing into the functioning mechanism of Shen-Mai decoction’ s medical effect. Methods By means of UPLC-TOF-MS, the metabolites of urine of the rats treated by Shen-Mai decoction were analyzed. Then, the differ-ences between each group of the metabolites were sought with PLS-DA ( the partial least square discrimi-nant analysis ) and OPLS-DA ( the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis ) . VIP ( variable importance in projection ) and t test were used to screen out potential biomarkers. Results Fourteen endogenous metabolites such as succinyladenosine, a-denosine 2′, 3′-cyclic phosphate, S-( 3-methylbu-tanoyl )-dihydrolipoamide-E, cis-4-hydroxycyclohexy-lacetic acid, phenylbutyrylglutamine, 3-butyn-1-al, 3-hydroxytetradecanedioic acid, dihydrolipoamide and pyruvic acid, etc. were characterized. Conclusions The results indicate that Shen-Mai decoction can pro-tect the body from myocardial injury by regulating pu-rine metabolism, some acid metabolism, fat metabo-lism and energy metabolism, etc. The study expounds the functioning mechanism for Shen-Mai decoction ’ s medical effect in the body and provides theoretical grounds for the rationality of the two medical herbs ’ compatibility and their combination in clinical treat-ment of diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transportation of Patients ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; therapy

Lab diagnostics plays an important role in Chinese medicine (CM) microscopic syndrome differentiation owe to its properties such as microcosmic, objectivity, and quantitation. It is not replaceable in identifying dormant syndrome. Besides, it plays important roles in studying the essence of CM syndromes, the modeling of CM syndromes, the microscopic classification of CM syndromes, and the typing of CM syndromes. Therefore, lab diagnostic indices are important indices for microscopic syndrome differentiation. Microscopic syndrome differentiation deduced from laboratory diagnostics has become beneficial complement for macroscopic syndrome differentiation. It will promote the formation of a brand new syndrome differentiation subject and the development of microscopic syndrome differentiation.
Laboratories ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Objective To investigate the current prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the Yellow River basin of Shandong Province and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Nine counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation.The content of fluoride in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode and dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was diagnosed by Deans method.Results Water fluoride content was determined in 1761 fluorosis villages,among which 606 villages had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L,accounting for 34.41%(606/1761);1155 villages had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L,which accounted for 65.59%(1155/1761).The highest water fluoride content was 11.33 mg/L.Water fluoride content of 618 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been determined,among which 449 projects had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L and accounted for 72.65%(449/618),169 projects had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L and accounted for 27.35%(169/618),the highest water fluoride content was 5.85 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was 45.03%(25 579/56 804) and the index of dental fluorosis was 0.80. Conclusions In the Yellow River basin in Shandong Province,up to 50.00%in the villages the water fluoride content exceeds the county standard(≤1.00 mg/L).The prevalence of endemic fluorosis in the basin hasn't been effectively controlled.So the counterrneasures for endemic fluorosis should be carried out as soon as possible.

Objective One typical case with stress cardiomyopathy was reported and the current knowledge of the syndrome was reviewed to improve relevant knowledge.Methods A 71-year-old female patient presented dyspnea and chest pain due to emotional stress.ECG,echocardiography,selective coronary artery angiography,left ventriculography,~(99)Tc~m-MIBI single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT),~(18)F-FDG SPECT and MRI were performed.Results Electrocardiogram at admission showed ST segment elevation and T wave inversion in leads V1—V4.Pathological Q wave occurred 1 week later,it disappeared 1 month later however and severe T wave inversion occurred.Normal or slightly elevated cardiac enzymes in the blood were found during the course.Left ventriculogram at admission showed left ventricular apical ballooning with LVEF of 30%.The ballooning volume was about 3/4 of left ventricular volume, without any corresponding coronary artery diseases found in coronary angiogram.The abnormal apical ballooning decreased significantly in the follow-up left ventriculogram performed one month later.The LVEF rose up to 63.6%.~(99)Tc~m-MIBI and ~(18)F-FDG SPECT showed mismatch of perfusion and metabolism in the corresponding region,indicating presence of viable myocardium.MRI showed left ventricular apical ballooning without perfusion defect and late enhancement,indicating viability of corresponding myocardium. Conclusions Emotional stress can cause transient left ventricular apical ballooning called"stress cardiomyopathy".Either ~(99)Tc~m-MIBI SPECT associated with ~(18)F-FDG SPECT or delayed enhancement MRI plays an important role in identification of myocardial viability,which can efficiently guide clinical treatment.

Objective To analyze variations of hepatic vein in healthy people with 64-slice spiral CT.Methods Seventy-five healthy subjects underwent multi-slice spiral computed(MSCT)hepatic venography.The anatomy of the junction of the hepatic veins with the inferior vena cava and the intrahepatic drainage territory of the hepatic veins and tributaries were evaluated.The hepatic veins were classified according to three anatomic classification(Nakamura's,Marcos's and Kawasaki's classification)methods respectively.Results There was a common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins before joining the IVC in 86.7%(65/75)of the cases.In 13.3%(10/75)of the cases,the three main hepatic veins joined the IVC separately.The ratios of Nakamura's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 49.4% (37/75),37.3%(28/75),and 13.3%(10/75)respectively.The ratios of Marcos's classification type A,B,C of hepatic veins were 56.0%(42/75),24.0%(18/75),and 20.0%(15/75)respectively. The ratios of Kawasaki's classification type Ⅰ,Ⅱ of hepatic vein were 40.0%(30/75)and 60.0% (45/75).Conclusion Multi-slice spiral CT hepatic venography can provide visualization of peripheral hepatic venous branches in details.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the aggressive properties of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with concurrent BRAF(V600E) mutation and rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene protein expression.

METHODSFifty pathologically confirmed PTC patients who had received thyroidectomy were enrolled in this study. BRAF(V600E) mutation was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while RET protein expression was measured by immunohistochemical SP method. Clinical and pathological features were compared between the concurrent BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET protein expression group (n=24) and BRAF(V600E) mutation or RET protein expression alone group (n=19). Seven patients were ruled out from the final analysis due to the absence of either BRAF(V600E) mutation or RET protein expression.

RESULTSOf these 50 patients, BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET protein expression were detected in 38 patients (76%) and 28 patients (56%), respectively. Concurrent BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET expression was detected in 24 patients (48%). Compared with the concurrent BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET protein expression group, the BRAF(V600E) mutation or RET protein expression alone group had relatively poorer tissue differentiation and higher prognostic score (P=0.011, P=0.022).

CONCLUSIONPTC patients with concurrent BRAF(V600E) mutation and RET expression present poorer differentiation, more highly aggressive variant in carcinoma tissues, and higher cancer-related mortality risk.

Adult ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; genetics ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology