Objective To observe the influence of combination therapy ofprobucol,aspirin and statins drugs (PAS) on levels of serum oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL),pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A) and marix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and resolution of carotid vulnerable plaque in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients with ACI,admitted to our hospital from September 2007 to July 2010,were chosen in our study; according to the results of carotid artery ultrasound,these patients were divided into carotid stable plaque group (n=45) and carotid vulnerable plaque group (n=90).Stable plaque group was considered as control group; 90 patients with carotid vulnerable plaque were randomly subdivided into aspirin and statins drugs (AS) group (n=45,aspirin 100 mg/d,atorvastatin 20 mg/d,orally) and PAS group (n=45,aspirin 100 mg/d,atorvastatin 20 mg/d,probucol 0.25 g/time,2 times/day,orally).Levels ofOx-LDL,PAPP-A and MMP-3 were detected in all patients before treatment and four weeks after drug therapy.The intima-media thickness,plaque area and echogenicity of carotid plaques were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography during a 12-month follow-up period.Results Before treatment,serum ox-LDL,PAPP-A and MMP-3 levels in AS group and PAS group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05); no significant differences of ox-LDL,PAPP-A and MMP-3 levels were noted between AS and PAS groups (P＞0.05).Four weeks after treatment,levels of serum ox-LDL,PAPP-A and MMP-3 in PAS group were significantly lower than those in AS and control groups (P＜0.05); the decrease of levels of ox-LDL,PAPP-A and MMP-3 in PAS group was obviously higher than that in AS and control groups (P＜0.05).Twelve months after treatment,significant decrease of plaque area and intima-media thickness (IMT) was noted in the AS and PAS groups (P＜0.05); the IMT and plaque area in PAS group were significantly smaller than those in AS group (P＜0.05); obvious decrease of echogenicity of carotid plaques in PAS group was noted as compared with that in AS group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Combination therapy of PAS might have strong anti-oxidant function and lipid-lowering effect,which could reverse and stabilize the atherosclerosis plaque.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulative mechanism of the diterpene phenol extract of Rosmarinus Officinalis (DERO) on the imbalance of collagen metabolism of the lung tissue in pulmonary fibrosis rats.

METHODSFifty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal saline group (NS), the bleomycin-induced lung injury group (BLM), the low dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg), the moderate dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg), and the high dose DERO group (at the daily dose of 200 mg/kg), 10 in each group (abbreviated as DERO 1, 2, 3, respectively). The pulmonary fibrosis rat model was prepared by disposable intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. DERO was administered by gastrogavage as intervention during the repairing process of lung injury. On the morning of the 29th day, the rats' lung tissue was extracted. The karyocyte number, collagen protein, type I collagen (collagen I) and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGFbetaR II), Smad4 mRNA expressions were semi-quantitatively determined using tissue microarray, HE staining, collagen fiber dyeing, immunohistochemical assay, and in situ hybridization. Using real-time fluorescent quantification RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the NS group, the collagen deposition of the lung tissue was obvious and the inflammatory infiltration was more severe in the BLM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the aforesaid 4 indices between the DERO1 group and the BLM group (P > 0.05). The collagen deposition and the inflammatory infiltration were obviously alleviated in the DERO2 and DERO3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the NS group, the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1 R II, Smad4, and TGF-beta1 were obviously up-regulated in the BLM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the BLM group, the aforesaid four indices were not statistically changed in the DERO1 group (P > 0.05). But the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1 R II, Smad4, and TGF-beta1 were obviously downregulated in the DERO2 and DERO3 groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). But the down-regulation of Smad4 expression was not obvious in the DERO2 and the DERO3 groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the DERO1 group, the mRNA expressions of collagen-I, TGF-beta1, R II, TGFbeta1 were all obviously lower in the DERO2 and the DERO3 groups (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in the aforesaid 4 indices between the DERO2 group and the DERO3 group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDERO could regulate imbalanced collagen metabolism of pulmonary fibrosis. It could inhibit excessive deposition of collagen fibers, especially excessive deposition of collagen- I. Its mechanisms might be realized by inhibiting up-regulation of TGF-beta1 and TGFbetaR II mRNA expressions, thus interfering the activation of TGF-beta-Smad signaling pathway on target genes, especially on type I procollagen target gene.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Rosmarinus ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Seventy percentage of perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women will experience menopause symptoms. Primary menopause symptoms in Western countries included hot flashes, insomnia, somatic pain, depression, and fatigue. Hot flashes were most commonly treated. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) continues to have a clinical role in the management of vasomotor symptoms, but since 2002 there has been a marked global decline in its use due to concerns about the risks and benefits of HRT; consequently many women with menopause symptoms are now seeking alternatives including acupuncture. Acupuncture has a long tradition of use for the treatment of different menopause symptoms. Its effectiveness has been studied for natural menopause or chemical and surgery induced menopause. Here we provide an update on recent advances in the field for clinicians. The recent systematic reviews on acupuncture in menopausal symptoms suggest that acupuncture is an effective and valuable option for women suffering from menopause. However, the science of acupuncture therapies is still inadequate to sufficiently support the benefits of acupuncture therapies. Finally, we discuss our points of view on clinical trials of acupuncture for menopause symptoms.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Biomedical Research ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; physiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Objective To analyze the correlation between femoral head CT values in routine abdominopelvic CT scanning and hip bone mineral density(BMD)values in hip quantitative CT(QCT)measurements,and to investigate the diagnostic value of femoral head CT values for hip osteoporosis.Methods Totally 176 patients undergoing non-enhanced abdominopelvic CT scanning at some hospital from June 1,2021 to January 20,2022 were selected prospectively,and femoral head CT values and hip BMD values were measured on the scanned images.The patients were divided into a normal bone mass group,a reduced bone mass group and an osteoporosis group according to hip T values and the"China Guideline for the Diagnosis Criteria of Osteoporosis with Quantitative Computed Tomography(2018)".Analyses were carried out for the correlation between femoral head CT values and hip BMD values,the difference between femoral head CT values and BMD values of the two sides with paired t-test,the difference of CT values between the three groups with ANOVA and the diagnostic efficacy of femoral head CT values for diagnosing hip osteoporosis with AUC curve.Results The values of femoral head CT and hip BMD had a strong correlation(r=0.696),which were slightly higher on the left than on the right.The three groups had statistically significant differences of femoral head CT values at two sides(P=0.000),which were ranked according to CT values as the normal bone mass group,the reduced bone mass group and the osteoporosis group.Femoral head CT values and hip BMD values both reached the peak at the age of 41 to 50 years,and then decreased gradually.Femoral head CT values behaved well in predicting hip osteoporosis,with femoral head AUC value being 0.859 on the left and 0.846 on the right.Conclusion The values of femoral head CT and hip BMD had a strong correlation,and femoral head CT values are valuable for diagnosing osteoporosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(9):64-68]

BACKGROUNDTransradial approach, which is now widely used in coronary angiography and intervention, may be advantageous with respect to the femoral access due to the lower incidence of vascular complications. Transulnar approach has been proposed for elective procedures in patients not suitable for transradial approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transulnar approach versus the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty patients undergoing coronary angiography, followed or not by intervention, were randomized to transulnar (TUA) or transradial approach (TRA). Doppler ultrasound assessments of the forearm vessels were scheduled for all patients before procedures, 1 day and 30 days after procedures. The primary end point was access site vascular complications during hospitalization and 30 days follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as secondary end point was recorded till 30 days follow-up.

RESULTSSuccessful puncture was achieved in 98.3% (118/120) of patients in the TUA group, and in 100% (120/120) of patients in the TRA group. Coronary angiographies were performed in 40 and 39 patients in TUA and TRA group. Intervention procedures were performed in 78 and 83 patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively. The incidence of artery stenosis 1 day and 30 days after procedures was 11.0% vs.12.3% and 5.1% vs. 6.6% in TUA and TRA group, respectively. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.1% vs.1.7% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transulnar angioplasty, and in 6.6% vs. 4.9% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transradial angioplasty. Minor bleeding was still observed at the moment of the ultrasound assessment in 5.9% and 5.7% of patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively (P = 0.949). No big forearm hematoma, and A-V fistula were observed in both groups. Freedom from MACE at 30 days follow-up was observed in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe transulnar approach is as safe and effective as the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. It is an attractive opinion for experienced operators who are skilled in this technique, particularly in cases of anatomic variations of the radial artery, radial artery small-caliber or thin radial pulse.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulnar Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray for the prevention of SARS and other upper respiratory viral infections.

METHODSField epidemiologic evaluation was conducted, the design was randomized and had a synchronously parallel control group. In the study, the drugs were given for five days and all subjects were followed up for ten days.

RESULTSDuring the period of using interferon, body temperature of the experimental group was normal compared to the control group. Experimental group had more influenza-like symptoms than the control group (P < 0.05), such as headache (4.83%-7.09%), dizziness (7.17%-11.63%), lassitude (8.55%-15.06%), muscular soreness (4.43%-7.09%), pharynx dryness (12.10%-17.85%), angina (6.25%-8.72%), abdominal pain (2.30%-5.50%) and diarrhea (2.45%-5.66%). Most of side effects reached their peak with in the first 3 days. Except for pharynx dryness, the incidences of all other side effects declined after completion of the use of the trial drug, and incidences of some symptoms in experimental group were lower than those of the control group. There were no significant differences in the symptoms of cough and expectoration between the experimental group and the control group. The incidence of exanthem in the control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group. The side effect of bloody nasal mucus was not observed in experimental group, which had been reported by other authors in several volunteer studies.

CONCLUSIONUsing recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray could lead to some influenza-like symptoms, however, all those symptoms were mild , reversible, and relieved after completion of the use of the trial drug. No serious side effects were found during the period of following up. The authors conclude that the drug is safe.

Abdominal Pain ; chemically induced ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Dizziness ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; prevention & control ; virology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult