Objective To investigate the relationship among peroxisome proliferators - activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), pul-monary arterial systolic pressure(PASP) ,and insulin resistance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. Methods A-mong 63 COPD patients, 30 patients with level of PASP above 40mmHg were enrolled in PAH group and other 33 patients were enrolled in COPD group. Twenty healthy medical examination subjects were enrolled in control group. The expression of PPAR-γ, mRNA was detected by real time fluorescent quantitative RT- PCR. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the level of fasting plasma insulin (FIN). Fasting plas-ma glucose (FPG) was detected by glucose oxidase method. Results The expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was significantly decreased in PAH and COPD group, while FPG, FIN and IRI increased significantly. PAH group had more increased PASP, decreased expression of PPAR-γ and higher IRI than COPD group. Expression of PPAR-γ was negatively related to PASP and IRI. Conclusions The significantly down reg-ulated expression of PPAR-γ maybe explain the higher FPG and PASP.

Objective To ascertain the gross α/β levels in drinking water in Inner Mongolia and to estimate the annual effective dose to the local residents from radionuclides in drinking water.Methods A total of 768 water samples were collected from 101 counties distributed over 12 cities of Inner Mongolia.Low background α/β measuring instrument was used to measure the radioactivity level;On this basis,use EPA Federal Guidance Report 11 universal method to estimate the annual effective dose to the local residents via intake of radionuclides from drinking water.Results The gross α radioactivity range was 0.016-1.003 Bq/L for tap water,O.016-0.975 Bq/L for factory water,0.017-1.544 Bq/L for river water,0.120-0.672 Bq/L for lake water,0.016-0.492 Bq/L for reservoir water,0.016-1.139 Bq/L for well water,0.032-3.156 Bq/L for spring water,respectively.The gross β radioactivity range was 0.030-0.828 Bq/L for tap water,0.031-0.571 Bq/L for factory water,0.066-0.873 Bq/L for river water,0.169-2.268 Bq/L for lake water,0.046-0.519 Bq/L for reservoir water,0.071-0.526 Bq/L for well water,0.087-1.063 Bq/L for spring water,respectively.Conclusions In Inner Mongolia,the gross α/β mean value in tap water is less than the World Health Organization-recommended value and the average annual effective dose from tap water is also less than the WHO-recommended value O.1 mSv/a.The gross α/β radioactivity from the other water samples is also within the range of the nationwide average.

Objective To determine activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides in the surface soils in Huhhot city,measure environmental radiation level,and evaluate risks to residents health.Methods Radionuclides in 48 surface soil samples were determined by means of the high purity germanium γ spectrometer;environmental radiation level was measured using an environment γ dose rate meter;comparison was made of average activity concentrations in soils between domestically and globally;and the radiation dose to the local residents was estimated by using the methods recommended by UNSCEAR and reported in the related literatures.Results The average values for specific activity of 238U,232Th,226 Ra,40K and137 Cs in the surface soil samples in Huhhot city were (29.29 ± 12.95),(39.33±4.34),(29.77 ±3.21),(650.49 ±62.21) and (1.62 ± 1.53) Bq/kg,respectively;the measured air absorbed dose rate was (86.32 ± 11.92) nGy/h;the annual effective dose to local residents from outdoor γ radiation was 79.27 μSv/year.Conclusions The specific activities of radionulcides in soils and the environmental radiation in surface soil in Huhhot city were at a normal background level,with low risks to health of the local residents.

Objective To determine the gross radioactivity in drinking water in Chifeng city and to estimate the annual effective dose associated with intake of radionuclides from drinking water.Methods Water samples were collected at locations distributed in 12 counties across Chifeng city, and radioactivity was measured with a low background α/β measuring instrument and HPGe γspectrometer.Results Gross α radioactivity in drinking water was in the range of 0.016-1.230 Bq/L and gross β radioactivity in the range of 0.039-0.878 Bq/L in Chifeng city.The average annual effective dose to the local population from gross α radioactivity was 0.071 mSv/a.Conclusions The grossα/β level in Chifeng city is lower than the World Health Organization-recommended value and the average annual effective dose due to drinking water is within the recommended safety level.

Objective To investigate dexamethasone on airway inflammation and CD4+ CD25 + regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25 +Tr) of asthmatic rats,and elucidate the possible mechanism of dexamethasone in treatment of asthma.Methods 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,asthma group and dexamethasone-treated group.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected,and cytology study was conducted.The lung tissue was obtained and pathologic analysis was done through HE stain.Flow eytometry was used to detect the CD4+ CD25 +Tr ratio in PBMCs.Results Total cells number,the percentage of lymphocytes,neutrophils and eosinophils (Eos)in BALF of dexamethasone-treated group were lower than that of asthma group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the asthma group,less infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues was observed in the dexamethasone-treated group.CD4+ CD25 + Tr of asthma group was lower than that of control and dexamethasone-treated group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexamethasone could suppress airway inflammation of asthmatic rats,which probably be due to increasing the number of CD4+ CD25 + Tr.

Objective To investigate the immunological mechanism of inhibitory effect of Danshen injection combined with dexamethasone(DXM) on asthmatic airway inflammation.Methods 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC),asthma,Danshen,DXM and Danshen+DXM group.Cytology study of Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was conducted.Pathology of lung tissue was done through HE.Flow eytometry was used to detect CD4+CD25+ regulatory T Cells(CD4+CD25+ Treg) ratio in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).IL-4 and IL-5 levels in BALF were detected by ELISA.Results Total cells number,percentage of lymphocytes,neutrophils and eosinophils(Eos) in BALF of the three treated groups were lower than that in asthma group(P<0.05,P<0.01),particularly in Danshen+DXM group,which showed significant difference as compared with the other two treated groups(P<0.05).There was severe inflammation in lung tissue of asthma group,moderate inflammation in Danshen group and DXM group,and no inflammation of Danshen+DXM group.CD4+CD25+ Treg/CD4+ T ratio in the three treated groups were higher than that in asthma group,and the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 were lower than those in asthma group(P<0.05).In Dansben+DXM group,it showed significant difference on the change of CD4+CD25+ Treg,IL-4 and IL-5 as compared with other treated groups(P<0.05).Conclision Danshen injection combined with DXM could suppress airway inflammation in asthmatic rats,which may be through increasing the expression of CD4+CD25+ Treg,decreasing the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 and resuming the balance of Th1/Th2.

Objective To summarize the preliminary experience of coils, Onyx and covered stents for the treatment of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF). Methods Of the 25patients with CCF, 22 were traumatic CCF, and 3 were spontaneous CCF; the fistula orifices of 14 patients were located in the cavernous segment of right internal carotid artery (ICA), and 11were located in the cavernous segment of left ICA. According to the Barrow classification,Types A, C, and D were 22,2, and 1, respectively. Eighteen patients were treated with Guglielmi detachable coils alone, 1 was treated with Guglielmi detachable coils and Onyx, 2 were treated with Onyx alone, and 4 were treated with covered stents. Results Intracranial bruit disappeared immediately in all patients after the procedures. Postoperative angiography showed complete occlusion of the fistula orifices, the symptoms disappeared after 1 to 20 days, and there were no death and procedure-related complications. The recanalized ICAs were patent in patients (12/18) treated with coils, and the ICAs were patent in 4 patients treated with the covered stents.The ICAs were patent in 2 patients treated with Onyx, the ICA was patent in 1 patent treated with detachable coils and Onyx. One patient with traumatic CCF treated with coils had clinical recurrence, and was cured after re-embolization with coils. The remaining patients were followed-up for 6 to 24 months, and no recurrence of clinical symptoms was found. The followup cerebral angiography of 6 patients was obtained, and no CCF recurrence was observed.Conclusion Endovascular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils, Onyx, and covered stents is a safe and useful method for closing CCFs.

Objective To observe the possible mechanism and inhibitory effects of curcumin on pulmonary fibrosis induced bleomycin in rats at the fibrosing stage. Methods 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats were random divided into 4 groups (20 rats in each group). Rats in the fibrosis model group, the prednisone group and the curcumin group were induced by instilled bleomycin through tracheal, rats in the control group with same volume normal saline. Since the 15th day after bleomycin administration, the curcumin group and prednisone group were given curcumin (300 mg/kg) or prednisone (5mg/kg) per day by intragastric administration, respectively. The normal control group and the model group were given 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ( 10ml/kg). Six rats of each group were random sacrificed on the 21st, 28th, 42nd and 56th days after bleomycin administration. The histological changes of the pulmonary were evaluated by H. E and Masson dyeing. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and hydroxyproline in the tissue of pulmonary were assessed by immunohistochemistry and digestion method. Results Pulmonary fibrosis and hydroxyproline level in the curcumin group were obviously reduced as compared with the model group on the 42nd and 56th day[42 d:1. 28 ±0. 61 vs 2. 28 ±0. 39,P <0. 01 ;(1.73 ±0. 22)mg/g vs (2.50 ±0. 37) mg/g, P <0.01;56 d:1.00 ±0.59 vs 1.73 ±0.36, P< 0. 05; ( 1.57 ± 0. 36) mg/g vs (2. 20 ± 0. 42) mg/g, P < 0. 01 ], and it was also lower than that in prednisone group on the 42nd day( P < 0. 05 ). The expression of TGF-β1 and PDGF in the curcumin group were obviously lower than that in the model group on the 28th, 42nd and 56th day[28 d:TGF-β1 :3642. 05 ±839. 31 vs 5067. 35 ±738. 39, P <0. 05 ;PDGF:2957. 55 ±739. 16 vs 4457. 75 ±568. 39, P <0. 05;42 d: TGF-β1: 2689. 73 ± 529.22 vs 4089. 50 ± 619. 37, P < 0. 01; PDGF: 2834. 46 ± 567. 16 vs 3239. 52 ±628. 26, P <0. 01 ;56 d:TGF-β1: 1968.57 ±408. 36 vs 2968.20 ±498.42, P <0. 01 ;PDGF: 1083.36 ±381.35 vs 2019. 40 ±412. 36, P <0. 01 ], which was lower than that in prednisone group on the 42nd and 56th day (42 d,TGF-β1 :3529. 07 ±981.35,PDGF:2618. 34 ±813. 34;56 d,TGF-β1 :2530. 83 ±439. 37,PDGF: 1738. 35 ±536. 62, Pall <0. 05 ) , and it had no obvious difference compared with control group on the 56th day ( P > 0. 05 ). Conclusion Curcumin could alleviate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats at the fibrosing stage by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF.

Objective To study the influence of crosstalk phenomenon on the measurement of gross radioactivity in drinking water.Methods The gross activity in different standard materials with different thickness and area was measured using national standard method.Results There was no obvious change in crosstalk factor with the increase of 241Am powder amount in the measurement,whereas the larger amount of uranium used might lead to larger crosstalk factor.The different measurement channels resulted in different crosstalk factors.The influence of beta radioactivity on alpha radioactivity measurement was significant.On the contrary,the alpha-to-beta crosstalk factor was negligible.The area of sample plate imposed no significant influence on crosstalk factor.Conclusions The gross beta activity can be corrected to decrease the influence of alpha radioactivity using powder standard samples,when simultaneous alpha and beta counting mode is applied in measurement grass radioactivity in drinking water.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of moxa stick moxibustion in treating diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) due to deficient cold of spleen-stomach, and to discuss the action mechanism.Method Seventy DGP patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by moxa stick moxibustion, while the control group was given oral administration of Domperidone tablets, 7 d as a treatment course, totally for 2 courses. The DGP clinical symptoms evaluation scale, gastric emptying time and biochemical indexes (contents of glycosylated hemoglobin and serum motilin) were compared before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result After the treatment, the DGP clinical symptoms evaluation scales, gastric emptying time, and biochemical indexes were changed significantly in both groups (P<0.05). The DGP clinical symptoms evaluation scales, gastric emptying time, and biochemical indexes in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group after the treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxa stick moxibustion can improve the quality of life of DGP patients due to deficient cold of spleen-stomach, which is possibly related to the improvement of the glycosylated hemoglobin, serum motilin and gastric emptying time.