Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; Heart Atria ; cytology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Membrane Potentials ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; agonists

BACKGROUND:Human spine protector can protect human thoracic-lumbar vertebra segments against injury, and the design and development of a novel dynamic protector needs the verification of various experimental means.
OBJECTIVE:Using the three-dimensional finite element method, we evaluate the effect of spine protector and the biomechanical reaction of thoracic-lumbar vertebra under the axial loading.
METHODThe thoracic-lumbar vertebra were cut from the whole spine three-dimensional finite element model. Then the thoracic-lumbar vertebra models carrying spine protector were taken as experimental group, while the models without the protector served as control group. Al the specimens were evaluated, constrained, loaded and figured out by its properties. The results of equivalent stress and strain distribution were obtained from the data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In both groups, the stress was distributed at axial and posterior column of L 2 when the load was applied in axial direction. According to the data obtained from the experiment, both the experimental group and the control group had achieved the maximum stress at 16 ms, 3.919 Mpa and 5.727 Mpa, respectively. The statistical analysis result showed that the stress varied significantly at T 12 and L 2 in two groups (both P<0.05). However, the stress distribution at T 11 and L 1 showed no significant difference between the two groups (both P>0.05). Experimental findings indicate that, spine protector can significantly reduce the vertical stress of the thoracic-lumbar vertebra when fal ing on the ground, and share the vertical load, which is protective to thoracic-lumbar vertebra.

Objective To investigate whether the genetic variant rs10830963 of melatonin receptor 1B(MTNR1B)gene is associated with increased risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods Eighty-seven GDM subjects(GDM group)and 91 normal pregnant women (control group)were randomly recruited form Women and Children's Hospital of Quzhou,Zhejiang Province,China.The allele and genotype frequencies of the rsi0830963 in MTNR1B gene were determined in all participants with PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.The allele and genotype frequencies of rs10830963 were compared to determine their differences between GDM subjects and normal controls.In addition,multiple linear regression was conducted to investigate the association patterns of the risk allele with fasting glucose and HbAlc levels.Results Both GG genotype and G allele frequencies of the rs10830963 loci in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the controls,and women with G allele and GG genotype were associated with increased GDM risk(OR=1.53,95％ CI:1.005-2.324,P=0.047 and OR=2.16,95％ CI:1.052-4.434,P=0.034 respectively).After adjusting for age,body mass index before pregnancy,and family history of diabetes mellitus,women carrying GG genotype still had a higher GDM risk(OR =2.07,95％ CI:1.048-4.372,P =0.022).Multiple linear regression showed that the rs10830963 G allele was positively correlated with higher levels of fasting glucose(0.068 mmol/L,P=0.015)and HbAlc(0.073％,P=0.028).Conclusions Genetic variant rs10830963 in MTNR1B gene may contribute to the susceptibility to GDM in Chinese population and the rs10830963 G allele is a risk factor for the GDM susceptibility.

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) experience a significant decrease in their living quality, due to the limitations imposed by the disease as well as the demands of the treatment that they receive. Some side effects contribute to the morbidity of these patients. Among them, erectile dysfunction (ED) is notable. This article reviews recent advances in etiological factor study and treatment of ED in CRF patients, which may guide the clinic practices in a considerable scale.
Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; Male

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Esophagitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

ObjectiveTo find out the risk factors causing iatrogenic spinal cord injury (ISCI) so as to provide theoretical support for reducing the spinal cord injury during spinal operation. Methods A retrospective study was done on 120 patients undergone cervical or thoracic spinal( C1-T12 ) surgery at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2002 to January 2009. The patients were randomly divided into injury group (n = 34) and control group (n = 86) and the univariate analysis was used to analyze 30 factors including clinical factors, iconography factors, operation and pathology factors as well as possible protective factors. Then, the factors with statistical difference were analyzed by using the multi-factor unconditioned Logistic analysis.Results The univariate comparison between the two groups showed statistical difference ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) in nine factors including combined hypertension, combined diabetes mellitus, preoperative ASIA grade, spinal canal stenosis rate, ratio of spinal cord area/efficient area of vertebral canal, spinal cord MRI T2WI high signal, bleeding amount during operation, intraspinal prominence adhesion to dura mate of spinal cord as well as intraoperative use of methylprednisolone. The multi-factor Logistic regression analysis revealed that ASIA grade, value of spinal cord area/efficient area of vertebral canal, spinal cord MRI T2W1 high signal and bleeding amount in operation had positive correlation with ISCI. Use of methylprednisolone during operation had negative correlation with ISCI. ConclusionsCombined diabetes mellitus, ASIA grade, spinal cord MRI T2W1 high signal, ratio of spinal cord/vertebral canal area and bleeding amount in operation are the risk factors for ISCI. Use of large dose methylprednisolone exerts preventive effect on ISCI.

Autopsy ; Eye Injuries ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans

Objective To observe the impact of porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on blood glucose of high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and the antagonistic effect of metformin on diabetes model mice.Methods The C57 mice were divided into 8 groups(n =6-8 in each group).Apart from the normal control,mice were fed with HF diet for 16 weeks (including 3 groups) or 21 weeks (including 3 groups) for modeling.Besides the HF control group,the mice of diabetes model group and metformin group were given PG LPS 100 μg · kg-1 with intraperitoneal injection and simultaneously administrated with 100 mg · kg-1 metformin by gavage daily for 3 weeks,respectively.Blood glucose was measured with rapid glucometer.The plasma insulin and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway protein in livers were detected by Western blotting.Results In 21 weeks DIO mice,the blood glucose levels in the HF control group,diabetes model group and metformin group were (6.46±0.31),(7.82 ±0.35),(6.23 ± 0.21) mmol · L-1,respectively.Comparison between HF control group and diabetes model group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05);comparison between diabetes model group and metformin group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01).Expression of AMPK-phosphorylation status (p-AMPK)in the diabetes model group and metformin group were 1.03 ± 0.04,1.62 ± 0.21,respectively.Comparison between diabetes model group and metformin group,the difference was significant(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Metformin is a preferred therapeutic agent for hyperglycemic patients with obesity and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic factors in treating primary liver cancer (PLC) patients by Pi-strengthening and qi-regulating method (PSQRM), thus providing evidence and optimizing Pi-strengthening and qi-regulating program.

METHODSClinical data of 151 PLC patients treated by PSQRM at Oncology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2007 to March 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The univariate analysis was determined to analyze possible prognostic factors. Selected key factors were introduced into the COX proportional hazard model, and multivariate analysis was carried out.

RESULTSThe 1-year survival rate was 21.85%, the median survival time was 6.80 months, and the mean survival time was 8.98 months. The univariate analysis showed that Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types, clinical symptoms at the initial diagnosis, ascites, tumor types, ratios of foci, portal vein tumor thrombus, intrahepatic metastasis, a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, total bilirubin classification, albumin classification, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer were significant prognostic factors (P < 0.05). The statistic data of multivariate analysis indicated that CM syndrome types, ascites, tumor types, portal vein tumor thrombus, AFP levels, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer were independent factors influencing prognosis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prognosis of PLC treated with PSQRM is determined by multiple factors including CM syndrome types, ascites, tumor types, portal vein tumor thrombus, AFP levels, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) on normal human breast.

METHODSTen specimens of normal human breast tissues were subcutaneously implanted into 30 athymic nude mice aged 9-10 weeks, one for 3 mice. These mice were then randomly divided into three groups: control group (without hormone treatment, n = 10), 1 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10), and 5 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10). All breast tissues were taken out 6 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inhibiting apoptosis gene Bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) mRNA and bridging integrator protein-1 (BIN1) mRNA. Morphological features of grafts before and after treatment were also observed.

RESULTSAlpha-ZAL had no significant effects on Bcl-2, PCNA, ER, and PR expression of mammary epithelial cells in graft specimens. Alpha-ZAL upregulated BIN1 mRNA expression in grafts, but had no significant effect on ESTmRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSAlpha-ZAL does not affect the morphology, proliferating, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in normal human breast tissues implanted into nude mice, but it may increase the gene expression of tumor-inhibiting BIN1, suggesting that alpha-ZAL may have potential proteotive effect on normal human breast.

Adult ; Animals ; Breast ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Estrogen ; analysis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Zeranol ; pharmacology