Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen decoction (ZGJTYS) on the expression of nephrin and podocin in podocyte of MKR mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN), and explore its mechanism. Methods Forty MKR mice (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups as follows:negative control group (group A), DN model group (group B), ZGJTYS group (group C) and positive control group (group D, Gliquidone and benazepri). All mice from group B, C and D were received high-fat diet feed and unilateral nephrectomy. Four weeks after operation, all mice were received drug intervention, and four weeks later, all mice were put to death. The levels of UmAlb were observed by ELISA, the serum BUN and Cr by biochemical, and the FBG by electrochemical detection method. The nephrin and podocin mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR and the protein expression by western blotting. The morphological structure changes of the podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopes. Results As compared with group A, FBG, BUN, SCr and urine UmAlb in the mice of group B increased significantly (P<0.01), the expression level of nephrin and podocin mRNA and protein were markedly decreased (P<0.01). After intervention of drugs, all biochemical indicators above in the mice of group C and D significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression level of nephrin and podocin mRNA and protein were markedly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), compared with group B. The renal pathological lesions of group C and D were significantly improved compared with group B. Conclusion ZGJTYS decoction exerts reno-protective effect via reinstating nephrin and podocin expression to repair the damaged podocyte.

Objective To study on imagination features of tumor thrombi in the portal vein of primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods We established a new type system of tumor thrombi, with Ⅰ 0 to Ⅳ, a total of 5 types and 8 sub-types in the portal vein of PLC based on normal intrahepatic portal vein anatomy and growing features of the tumor thrombi. The relationship between the types and the imaging diagnosis of 130 PLC cases with tumor thrombi in the portal vein was studied. Results 85%(110/130) cases of PLC with tumor thrombi in the portal vein belongs to type Ⅱ or Ⅲ when being first diagnosed in the hospital. The resectability rates for type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ were 62%(5/8), 16%(10/62), 10%(5/48), 0 (0/12), respectively, and chemoembolization therapy (TACE) was given in 38%(3/8), 40%(25/62), 27%(13/48), 16%(2/12), respectively. Conclusions The new types of tumor thrombi are helpful for diagnosis and treatment of PLC with tumor thrombi in the portal vein.

Objective To study the relationship between gastroesophageal varices and bleeding and portal venous tumor thrombi in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods From Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2003, 84 HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombi were divided into Ⅰ～Ⅳ groups according to Ⅰ～Ⅳ types of tumor thrombi. The grade of gastroesophageal varices, the median survival time and the death cause for group Ⅰ～Ⅳ were retrospectively analyzed. Results Mild grade of gastroesophageal varices accounted for 64.7%, 6.0%, 85.7%,100%, respectively in group Ⅰ(n=17), Ⅱ(n=26),Ⅲ( n=35) and group Ⅳ(n=6),respectively. Severe varices were found in less than 5% in all four groups. The median survival periods were 10.1, 7.2, 5.7 and 3.0 months, respectively (P=0.0001). Most cases died from esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding and hepatic failure, with each accounting for about 50% of the mortality in all the 4 groups. Conclusions Portal venous tumor thrombi of HCC patients was not the major cause leading to esophageal and gastric varices and bleeding.

Chlorophenols are typical priority pollutants listed by USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The removal of chlorophenol could be carried out by a combination of electrochemical reduction and oxidation method. Results showed that it was feasible to degrade contaminants containing chlorine atoms by electrochemical reduction to form phenol, which was further degraded on the anode by electrochemical oxidation. Chlorophenol removal rate was more than 90% by the combined electrochemical reduction and oxidation at current of 6 mA and pH 6. The hydrogen atom is a powerful reducing agent that reductively dechlorinates chlorophenols. The instantaneous current efficiency was calculated and the results indicated that cathodic reduction was the main contributor to the degradation of chlorophenol.
Chlorine ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chlorophenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Electrochemistry ; methods ; Industrial Waste ; prevention & control ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Water Pollutants ; isolation & purification ; Water Purification ; methods

Objective To observe the effects of standardized three stage rehabilitation treatment on the neu- rological deficit scores (NDS) and ADL performance of ischemic stroke patients.Methods A total of 164 ischemic stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into a rehabilitation group and a control group.The neurological function and ADL performance of the patients were assessed by using NDS and Modified Barthcl Index (MBI) at the admission,at the end of 1st,3rd and 6th months post stroke.Results No significant differences were found be- tween the rehabilitative and the control groups with regard to NDS and MBI at admission.The NDS demonstrated a decreasing tendency,while the MBI score an increasing tendency in both groups.In the control group,significant difference of NDS was found between admission and the end of 1st month as well as between the end of the 1 st and the 3rd months.In rehabilitation group,significant difference was revealed between all the time points with regard to NDS and MBI scores.At the end of the 1st,3rd and 6th months,the MBI scores of the rehabilitation group were signifi- cantly higher than those of the control group,indicating that the ADL performance of those treated with standardized three-stage rehabilitation protocol was improved quicker than those without the protocol.Conclusion Standardized three-stage rehabilitation treatment could improve the neurological function and ADL performance of the ischemic stroke patients.

Abdominal Wall ; Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Ileal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Ileocecal Valve ; Leiomyoma ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the health status and intention of quitting smoking in factory workers, so as to provide scientific evidence for smoking control.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was carried out on smoking behavior, self-reported health status (SRHS), and intention of quitting smoking in 668 Guangzhou factory workers with different job types. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used on current smokers. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of SRHS, difficulty of quitting smoking (DQS) with some risk factors.

RESULTS(1) 65.0% (n = 348) male and 3.0% (n = 4) female workers were ever-smokers. 90.6% of male smokers usually smoked when getting together with friends or smokers, staying at home, or at leisure time, or just after a meal. (2) 10.7% of the daily smokers and ex-smokers had a worse SRHS than the general same-age people, which is significantly higher than 5.1% of the occasional smokers and those who were never smoking. The OR was 2.22 (95% CI 1.08 approximately 4.59) after adjusting age and education. (3) Of male daily smokers, 50.5% ever thought of quitting smoking. The proportions of ever-thought of quitting smoking were 73.3%, 50.0% and 37.2% respectively in those with better, pretty the same and worse SRHS than the general same-age people (P = 0.009). The proportions of DQS self-scored 30 or less, 31 to 60 and 60 or more were 26.9%, 24.9% and 48.2% respectively in male daily smokers. The OR for DQS (self-scored > 30 vs < or =30) increased with increasing number of colleague smoked and worked around, and with nicotine dependence.

CONCLUSIONDaily smokers and former smokers have worse SRHS than those who are occasional smokers or never smokers in male workers, and most of those with worse SRHS who ever thought of quitting smoking. The DQS is mainly significantly associated with number of colleague smoking and working around, and with nicotine dependence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Intention ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; epidemiology

This study aimed to investigate the reconstruction of the thumb and finger extension function in patients with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus.From April 2010 to January 2015,we enrolled in this study 4 patients diagnosed with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus via imaging tests,electrophysiological examinations,and clinical confirmation.Muscular branches of the radial nerve,which innervate the supinator in the forearm,were transposed to the posterior interosseous nerve to reconstruct the thumb and finger extension function.Electrophysiological findings and muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis,as well as the distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip,were monitored.All patients were followed up for 24 to 30 months,with an average of 27.5 months.Motor unit potentials (MUP) of the extensor digitorum communis appeared at an average of 3.8 months,while MUP of the extensor pollicis longus appeared at an average of 7 months.Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) appeared at an average of 9 months in the extensor digitorum communis,and 12 months in the extensor pollicis longus.Furthermore,the muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis both reached grade Ⅲ at 21 months.Lastly,the average distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip was 8.8 cm at 21 months.In conclusion,for patients with middle and lower trunk injuries of the brachial plexus,transposition of the muscular branches of the radial nerve innervating the supinator to the posterior interosseous nerve for the reconstruction of thumb and finger extension function is practicable and feasible.

Objective To investigate smoking behavior and nicotine dependence (ND), so as to provide evidence for tobacco control in workers. Methods A cross-sectional study to investigate smoking behavior and ND in 668 workers with different job assignment in Guangzhou. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and logistic regression model were used to analyze the association between ND and some risk factors. Results (1) The prevalence of ever-smoking was 65.0 % ( 348/535 ) in men ( 55.5 % daily smokers, 5.4% occasional smokers and 4.1% ex-smokers), and 3.0% (4/133) in women. The prevalence of current smoking for manual workers and safety officers were 67.6 % and 64.5 % respectively.(2) Among daily and occasional smokers, 66.7% and 89.7% of them had low ND respectively. Among daily smokers, ND increased with the duration of smoking. Manual workers and officers had higher ND. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking was relatively high in workers and officers and in men. However,majority of the smokers were with low ND and could be the prioritized target for a primary smoking cessation intervention program.

BACKGROUNDAccurate views of the head and neck vessels, tumor angiogenesis and the relationship of tumor and the surrounding blood vessels are especially crucial to carotid body tumor (CBT) patients. The aim of this study was to explore the value of dual-source CT (DSCT) cerebral and carotid angiography in CBT diagnosis.

METHODSDSCT cerebral and carotid angiography was performed on nine patients with CBT. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction images were obtained by means of multiple planar reconstructions (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR). All patients were subjected to color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) examination. Two kinds of examinations were performed in 3 days, and all patients were confirmed by surgery.

RESULTSDSCT angiography was successful in all patients. CBTs were diagnosed in 9 patients with 10 lesions (1 case had multiple bilateral CBTs). The largest lesion was 12 cm in diameter, and the smallest one was 1.6 cm in diameter. All patients had clearly demonstrated head and neck vessels, tumor angiogenesis, and tumor relationship with the surrounding blood vessels. The internal and external carotid artery (ICA, ECA) were involved in 2 cases. There were 7 cases with basilar artery ring integrity, and 1 case had the posterior communicating artery absent; 1 case had middle cerebral artery stenosis; 4 cases (4 tumors) showed arterial phase homogeneous enhancement; 5 cases (6 tumors) had obvious heterogeneous enhancement where irregular low-density necrosis could be seen in the tumors. CDFI could demonstrate the nearby blood vessels and tumor structure, instead of tumor angiogenesis. However, DSCT can display both the tumor and the peripheral vascular tumor angiogenesis consistent with surgical findings.

CONCLUSIONSDSCT cerebral and carotid angiography can provide reliable information for the operation. It might be a valuable CBT diagnostic method by showing accurate views of the CBT along with the bilateral neck and brain blood vessels.

Adult ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Body Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods