Objective To explore the application of B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound in patients with traumatic brain injuries. Methods B-mode intra- and post-operative ultrasound were performed 35 times in 24 patients, including 7 times of intra-operation in 7 patients and 28 times of post-operation in 17 patients. Results During operation epidural hematomas in 3 cases as well as intracranial hematomas in 2 cases, subdural hematomas in 1 case, diffused brain swelling in 1 case were found. After operation epidural hematomas were examined in 4 cases as well as subdural hematomas in 1 case, delayed intracranial hematomas in 6 cases, scattered contusion and laceration of the brain in 12 cases, acute obstructive hydrocephalus in 1 case, and subdural hydroma in 4 cases. Six cases underwent operations again because of delayed hematomas, contusion and laceration of the brain. B-mode ultrasound was compared with CT scan and the total coincidence rate was 85.4%.Conclusions B-mode ultrasound is helpful to examine delayed hematomas and other emergent complications. It may save time and may improve rescue rate and has a good coincidence with CT scan. B-mode ultrasound may be widely used as a routine way in neurotrauma ICU.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect of primary depression treated with the main points of Back-shu points of Five-zang and Geshu (BL 17) according to the differentiation.

METHODSSixty cases of primary depression were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (31 cases) and a western medication group (29 cases). In acupuncture group, Back-shu points of Five-zang and Geshu (BL 17) were applied as the main points, Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added for stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency; Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added for deficiency of both heart and spleen according to the differentiation. In western medication group, Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule was taken by oral administration for 20 mg, once a day. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks in both groups. After 2, 4, and 6 weeks treatment, the clinical curative effects of both groups were assessed by Hamilton Depression (HAMD) Rating Scale, HAMD Factor Analysis and Asberg Side Effect Scale.

RESULTSAfter 6 weeks treatment, the total effective rate was 67.7% (21/31) in acupuncture group and 65.5% (19/29) in western medication group, indicating the close curative effects(P > 0.05). After 2, 4, and 6 weeks treatment, the HAMD score, scores of anxious somatization, sleeping and retardation factors were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01) in two groups, through the comparison at different time points between two groups, scores of anxious somatization, sleeping factors in acupuncture group were superior to those in western medication group (both P < 0.05), but score of retardation factor in western medication group was superior to that in acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The Asberg Side Effect Scale in western medication group arrived at peak at thesecond week, and then reduced slowly; the side effect in acupuncture group was low and steady, and lower than that in western medication group after 6 week treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe curative effect of depression with acupuncture based on differentiation is equal to that of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule with oral administration, while the side effect is milder than that of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride capsule.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Depression ; psychology ; therapy ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the prevalence and treatment of oral mucositis caused by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and/or molecular targeted therapy in the patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods A retrospective study of the incidence and treatment of oral mucositis was performed in 179 patients (155 male and 24 female; 124 patients at stage Ⅲ and 55 patients at stage Ⅳ) receiving concurrent chemotherapy and (or) molecular targeted therapy between November 2007 and November 2010. Grade Ⅰ , Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ oral mucositis occurred respectively in 49, 50, 67 and 13 patients. All the patients received oral mucositis prophylaxis. After the occurrence of oral mucositis, conventional treatment of mucositis combined with quinolone antibiotics were applied. Results Of the patients, 99 patients with grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ and 4 patients with grade Ⅲ oral mucositis were effectively managed by conventional treatment; 76 patients with grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ oral mucositis were also significantly controled by conventional treatment plus antibiotics. After the treatments, all patients with oral mucositis were under control, with the decrease in the grade of oral mucositis, the reduction of oral pain and the improvement in ability to eat None of them had radiation treatment breaks. Conclusions Combined modality therapy can effectively control chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ oral mucositis were cured by conventional treatment and quinolone antibiotics play a key role in the treatmeats for grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ oral mucositis.

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. RESULTS: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines (TGF-β1, COL1A1, α-SMA) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. CONCLUSION: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium ; Carrier Proteins ; Cholesterol ; Collagen ; Cytokines ; Fibrosis ; Hepatocytes ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Inflammation ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mice* ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVETo gain a deeper insight into the benefits of oral tadalafil for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2009, we conducted a nationwide survey on the quality of male erectile function among the outpatients under the direction of the Chinese Association of Andrology. A total of 205 ED patients were prescribed oral tadalafil and accomplished a questionnaire investigation after 4 weeks of medication. We compared various parameters of the patients before and after the treatment.

RESULTSFour weeks of oral tadalafil medication achieved a total rate of effectiveness of 85.9% (176/205). The proportion of those with moderate to severe ED was decreased from 67.8% (139/205) before medication to 16.6% (34/205) after it. Those who enjoyed sexual life were increased from 21.5% (44/205) before medication to 84.9% (174/205) after it. Only 1.0% (2/205) of the patients could achieve grade 4 penile hardness before the treatment, as compared with 60.5% (124/205) after it. And the frequency of sexual intercourse was significantly increased, over 4 times in 90.2% (159/205) of the patients.

CONCLUSIONOral tadalafil, with its sure effectiveness on ED, can bring great benefits to the sexual life of ED patients.

Adult ; Carbolines ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the parents' compliance in non-hospital settings during the operation of expressed breast milk bank.

METHODSIn September 2014, a questionnaire survey was carried out to investigate the parents' willingness about feeding the inpatient neonates with maternal expressed breast milk, to evaluate the effectiveness of the breast milk feeding supporting system, and to monitor the compliance in non-hospital settings during the delivery of maternal expressed breast milk. Improvements in education were made according to the results. A second survey was done in September 2015.

RESULTSA total of 340 questionnaires were sent out, and 338 usable questionnaires were returned. According to the time when the questionnaires were sent out, they were divided into two groups: 2014 group (n=229) and 2015 group (n=109). The age of most mothers was 20-30 years in the 2014 group and 30-40 years in the 2015 group. Most mothers delivered at the West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University in both groups, but the 2015 group had a significantly higher proportion than the 2014 group (74.3% vs 61.6%; P<0.05). Guidance was given to mothers in the presence of insufficient breast milk production in both groups, but the 2015 group had a significantly higher proportion than the 2014 group (91.7% vs 79.9%; P<0.05). Both groups had good family compliance in the collection, storage, and transport of breast milk. There were no significant differences in their compliance with washing hands, sterilizing instruments, and using a clean special refrigerator between the two groups. The expressed breast milk was transported strictly according to the procedure in both groups, but the 2015 group had a significantly higher proportion than the 2014 group (100% vs 87.1%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBefore and after improvements in the health education, most parents have good compliance in the collection, storage, and transport of breast milk.

Adult ; Biological Specimen Banks ; Breast Feeding ; Female ; Humans ; Milk, Human ; Parents

Adult ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Ganglioneuroma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological changes of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients in the past five years.

METHODSIn 2003 and 2008, we conducted two questionnaire investigations on the epidemiological changes of ED outpatients in 11 Chinese cities in such aspects as age, disease course, ED severity, smoking and drinking habits, accompanying hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD), and sexual intercourse satisfaction.

RESULTSAccording to the valid copies of the questionnaire collected (808 in 2003 and 858 in 2008), the age pattern of the ED patients hardly changed in the past five years, over 60% aged 30 - 50 years. Compared with the results obtained in 2003, the second investigation showed obvious increases in the following numbers of the ED patients: by 13% in those with longer disease courses (5 - 10 yr), from 24.1 to 42.9% in those with moderate ED, from 20.4 to 29.9% in those with severe ED, by at least 10% in those with smoking and drinking habits, from 11.5 to 16.2% in those with hypertension, from 9.4 to 13.5% in those with diabetes, and from 57.6 to 73.3% in those without sexual satisfaction, while the number of those with CHD did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONIncreased unhealthy living habits and erectile function impairing diseases have added to the incidence and severity of ED. There is still much work to be done in the prevention and early treatment of ED.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatients ; Penile Erection ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cell biological mechanism of koumine-induced apoptosis of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.

METHODSThe effects of LoVo cell koumine on the membrane potential, mitochondrial membrane potential, concentration of cytosolic free calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gap junctional intercellular communication was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONKoumine lowered the membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane potential of LoVo cells and decreased the concentration of free cytosolic calcium, which was increased to a level higher than the basal one after addition of EDTA. Koumine also increased the reactive oxygen species and enhanced the gap junctional intercellular communication of LoVo cells. These findings may explain the possible mechanisms of koumine-induced LoVo cell apoptosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Indole Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Dioscin has a wide range of biological effects and broad application prospects. However the studies concerning the toxicology and mechanism of dioscin is small. This article is to study the hepatotoxicity of dioscin and the effect of dioscin treatment on expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mRNA and CYP1A mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells in vitro. Dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1) exposed to HepG2 cells for 12 h, cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay and the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was to evaluate cell membrane damage. HepG2 cells morphologic changes were quantified by inverted Microscope, and the effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of CYP1A and AhR was evaluated by RT-RCR. The protein expression of CYP1A1 was detected by western blot. The cell viability was significantly inhibited after HepG2 cells were exposed to dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1). Compared with the control, the LDH release rate and ROS were significantly increased. The expression of CYPlA and AhR mRNA was increased. The expression of CYP1Al protein was increased after dioscin treatment, and resveratrol, an AhR antagonist, could downregulate the expression of CYP1A1. It follows that large doses dioscin has potential hepatotoxicity. The possible mechanism may be dioscin can active aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce the expression of CYP1A.
Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; genetics