Objective To explore the effects oflosartan on brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and C-reactive protein(CLRP)in diabetic cardiomyopathy patients. Methods Sixty diabetics were divided into diabetic control group(30 cases)and diabetic cardiomyopathy group(30 cases), and the levels of BNP and CRP in plasma were determined. Then, diabetic cardiomyopathy group were divided into conventional treatment group(15 cases)and losartan treatment group(15 cases)by random digits table to take corresponding treatment for 12 weeks. The changes of cardiac function, the levels of BNP and CRP in plasma were detected and compared. Results The levels of BNP and CRP in diabetic cardiomyopathy group [(331.27 ±65.64)ng/L,(26.10±10.13)mg/L]were significantly higher than those in diabetic control group[(76.09±39.14)ng/L,(7.03±2.71)mg/L](P＜0.01). After treatment 12 weeks, the levels of BNP and CRP were significantly lower, left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly lower in losartan treatment group than those in conventional treatment group(P＜0.05).Conclusions The increasing levels of BNP and CRP can reflect clinical severity of diabetic cardiomyopathy.Losartan can decrease the levels of BNP and CRP, and improve heart function, and it has better effective on diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of different chemotherapy regimens for treatment of progressive patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) brain metastasis after radiotherapy. Methods 96 SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy were divided into four groups: carmustine group (Group A, 28 cases), temozolomide group (Group B, 19 cases), topotecan group (Group C, 24 cases) and no chemotherapy group (Group D, 25 cases). Results In terms of brain metastases, there were no complete response cases in the whole groups. The rates of partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progression of disease (PD) in Group A were 17.8%(5/28), 53.6%(15/28) and 28.6 % (8/28), respectively, the response rate (RR) of intracranial lesions was 17.9 % (5/28), and disease control (CR+PR+SD) rate was 71.4%(20/28). The rates of PR, SD and PD in Group B were 15.8%(3/19), 63.2 % (12/19) and 21.1 % (4/19), respectively, the RR of intracranial lesions was 15.8 % (3/19), and disease control rate was 78.9 % (15/19). The rates of PR, SD and PD in Group D were 8.3 % (2/24), 54.2 %(13/24) and 37.5 % (9/24), respectively, the RR rate of intracranial lesions was 8.3 % (2/24), and disease control rate was 62.5 % (15/24). In Group D, there was no response case, and 20 patients with PD (80.0 %) were found. The median progression-free survivals (PFSs) were (3.64 ±0.43) months, (4.68 ±0.49) months,(3.58 ±0.50) months, (2.60 ±0.31) months in Group A, B, C and D, respectively, and the median overall survivals (OSs) were (18.80±1.74) months, (18.76±1.85) months, (19.10±1.64) months and (9.64±0.84) months, respectively. The median OS of Group A, B or C was longer than that of Group D (P=0.002). The differences of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳhematologic toxicities among the four subgroups were not statistically different. Patients in Group B had better tolerance to nausea and vomit. In Group D, the central nervous system symptoms such as fatigue and headache occurred frequently. Conclusions The response rate and OS of SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy are improved after chemotherapy, however, PFS is not significantly prolonged. The efficacies of carmustine, temozolomide and topotecan are similar in short and long term, besides, temozolomide shows less adverse events and a higher disease control rate. The application of chemotherapy that could penetrate the blood-brain barrier can improve the efficacy on SCLC brain metastasis patients with progressive intracranial lesions after radiotherapy with well tolerance.

Objective To compare the efficacy and survival of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice using either endoscopic self-expandable metallic stents or surgery,and to evaluate the compounding factors influencing prognosis.Methods 56 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice treated with endoscopic self-expandable metallic stents (the endoscopic group) were compared with 90 patients who received surgery (the surgery group) during the same study period.Clinical data and survival of the 2 groups of patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results The success rate was 100％ in the endoscopic group.The serum bilirubin,alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) decreased significantly by using either therapeutic endoscopy or surgery (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the reduction of serum total bilirubin.The mean survival of the endoscopic and surgery groups were 340 d and 795 d respectively.The accumulative survivals of the endoscopic group at 3,6 and 12 months as evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 82.6 ％,61.1％ and 46.6 ％,respectively,and for the surgery group were 97.0％,90.9 ％ and 65.4％ respectively. There was a significant difference in survival between the two groups (P＜0.01).Survival after therapeutic endoscopy was similar to surgery for patients with metastasis and hilar biliary obstruction.Conclusions Self-expandable metallic stents gave similar palliation in the relief of jaundice in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.The stents had no effect on the primary tumor.Therapeutic endoscopy with self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective method for the relief of jaundice in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by non-resectable malignant tumors.

Objective To explore any changes in the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals measured on the spastic upper limb muscles of stroke parents during maximum isometric voluntary contraction and to analyze any abnormal synergy patterns quantitatively in order to design better rehabilitation programs for developing coordination.Methods Ten stroke survivors with hemiparesis were selected into a patient group and ten healthy counterparts were recruited into a control group.sEMG signals were recorded bilaterally from the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU),biceps brachii (BB),triceps brachii (TB) and deltoid (D) during maximum isometric voluntary contractions involving wrist flexion and extension,elbow flexion and extension,and shoulder abduction.The two groups' co-contraction ratios (CR) and co-activation ratios were calculated and compared.Results During elbow flexion and extension the average CR of the BB on the affected side was significantly higher than that on the unaffected side and also significantly higher than the control group average.The average CR of the TB on the affected side was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls.In all cases the average CR of the BB was larger than that of the TB.The difference in CR between the TB and the BB on the affected side was significantly larger than on the unaffected side and the control group average.During elbow flexion,the co-activation ratio of the FCU,TB and D on the affected side was significantly higher than on the unaffected side and among the healthy controls,and the co-activation ratio of the FCU on the affected side was significantly higher than that of the D and TB.During elbow extension,the co-activation ratio of the FCU,BB and D on the affected side was significantly higher in the same way,and the co-activation ratio of the FCU on the affected side was again significantly higher than that of the D and BB.During wrist flexion,the average co-activation ratio of the BB and D on the affected side was significantly greater than that on the unaffected side and among the healthy controls,and the co-activation ratio of the BB on the affected side was significantly higher than that of the D and TB.During shoulder abduction,the co-activation ratio of the BB on the affected side was significantly larger than on the unaffected side and among the healthy controls.Conclusion After a stroke the upper limbs often show flexor spasticity and abnormal synergy patterns.Rehabilitation strategy should be adopted to tackle these so as to enhance overall limb coordination.

To reveals the effects of tree species on polysaccharides content of epiphytic Dendrobium officinale. The polysaccharides content of D. officinale attached to living tress in wild or stumps in bionic-facility was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method. There were extremely significant differences of polysaccharides content of D. officinale attached to different tree species, but the differences had no relationship with the form and nutrition of barks. The polysaccharides content of D. officinale mainly affected by the light intensity of environment, so reasonable illumination favored the accumulation of polysaccharides. Various polysaccharides content of D. officinal from different attached trees is due to the difference of light regulation, but not the form and nutrition of barks.
Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Light ; Plant Bark ; physiology ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; Trees

Objective To detect the expression of bcl-2 and c-Met genes in lung cancer cell lines with different mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in order to explore the association between expression of bcl-2 and c-Met genes and drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Direct sequencing was used to detect EGFR mutations status in HCC827 cells, A549 cells and H1975 cells. Immunocytochemistry was conducted to test bcl-2 and c-Met expression. RT-PCR was performed to analyzed bcl-2 gene expression and ARMS was used to detect EGFR mutations status in malignant pleural effusion of NSCLC patients. Results A549 cells, HCC827 cells and H1975 cells were EGFR wild type, EGFR exon 19 deletion (19del), and EGFR exon 21 L858R and exon 20 T790M double mutations. c-Met and bcl-2 protein located in cytoplasm and the intensity of positive expression was highest in HCC827 cells, followed by A549 cells and H1975 cells. The bcl-2 mRNA expression was higher in HCC827 and A549 cells than that in H1975 cells (10.93±1.90 vs. 0.83±0.15, P=0.013; 7.13±1.33 vs. 0.83±0.15, P= 0.000). However bcl-2 mRNA expression was not associated with EGFR mutations (wild type, 19del and L858R) in malignant pleural effusion of NSCLC patients. Conclusion bcl-2 and c-Met gene in HCC827 cells (EGFR 19del) expression is significantly higher than those in H1975 cells (EGFR L858R/T790M), implying EGFR L858R mutations and 19del mutations may be regulated by different signaling pathways.

Objective:To observe the effects of auricular point sticking on pain and anxiety during the latent period of the first stage of labor in primiparas. Methods:Primiparas meeting eligibility criteria were recruited.The participants were randomized into an auricular point group,a placebo group,and a control group.The control group received daily care.The auricular point group received 120 min of auricular point sticking therapy.The placebo group received the same auricular plasters as the auricular point group but without pressing.Participants'pain,anxiety,and uterine contractions were measured at enrollment and 30,60,and 120 min of interventions. Results:Data from 78 participants were analyzed in this study.After uterine contraction was adjusted as a covariate,there was no significant difference among groups in the baseline anxiety,baseline pain,and anxiety at 30-min intervention(P>0.05),and no significant difference between the placebo group and the control group in each indicator at each time point(P>0.05).The anxiety scores of the auricular point group at 60 min and 120 min were lower than those of the placebo group and the control group(P<0.05).The pain in the auricular point group was less than that in the placebo group and the control group at 30,60,and 120 min of interventions(P<0.05). Conclusion:Auricular point sticking therapy can relieve anxiety and pain in women during the latent period of labor.Moreover,the effect is fast-acting.It can be used as a safe and effective complementary therapy.

Objective To study the immunologic and pathologic features of an accelerated rejection model of renal allotransplantation in presensitized monkeys.Methods The accelerated rejection model of renal allotransplantation was established in presensitized monkeys,which received donor skin transplantation in advance(n=3).The changes of donor specific antibody(DSA)levels in the recipient monkeys before/after skin and kidney transplantation were measured.The kidney grafts were examined for routine pathology,antibody and complement depositions,various lymphocyte subsets infiltration by HE staining,immunofluorescence,or immunohistochemistry.Results All renal allografts in 3 presensitized monkeys developed accelerated rejection within 4 days.In 2 presentized monkeys,the levels of DSA and their mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity(CDC)were significantly increased after skin transplantation,and further markedly elevated at the time of kidney graft rejection.In the rejected renal grafts,massive C3,C4,C5b-9 and IgG deposits with few lymphocytes infiltration were found.Typical pathologic changes included severe arterionecrosis,thrombosis,interstitial hemorrhage,and infiltration of neutrophils.In the rest one presentized monkey,the levels of DSA and CDC were only marginally increased,and the pathological changes of the rejected renal graft were characterized mainly by the injury of renal tubules.Conclusion Presensitization by donor skin transplantation could elevate the levels of DSA and CDC in recipient monkeys,which resulted in severe antibody-mediated acute humoral rejection in most of the following renal transplants.

3 mg/L was significantly worse than in those with hs-CRP≤3 mg/L (18.18%,5.45%;P=0.044,log-rank test). Higher hs-CRP concentration was an independent predictor of death or new vascular event(OR 3.609;95% CI 0.869—14.992;P=0.047).Conclusion Higher hs-CRP concentration in acute phase after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor of death or new vascular event in a year.