Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications

Objective Yangqing Chenfei Formula - To investigate the effect of (YCF) on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) Methods in lung tissues of silicosis model rats. Specific pathogen free adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, tetrandrine group and YCF group, with eight rats in each group. The rats in the model group, tetrandrine group and YCF group were intratracheally injected with 1.00 mL of silica suspension with a mass concentration of 50.0 g/L, and the rats in the control group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. On the 15th day after modeling, the tetrandrine group was given tetrandrine at a dose of 27.0 mg/kg body weight, the YCF group was given YCF with a dose of 8.91 g/kg body weight, while both the control group and model group were given 2.00 mL 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Gavage wasperformed twice a day in the morning and evening for 14 days. On day 29 of the experiment, after evaluating the tidal volume, - functional residual volume (FRC) and vital capacity of rats in each group, lung tissues were collected, and hematoxylin eosin staining and Masson staining were performed to examine the histopathological changes, and the fibrosis score was evaluated. - - Hydroxyproline level was detected by colorimetry. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen (COL Ⅰ), type Ⅲ collagen (COL Ⅲ), - - - - - - E cadherin (E Cad), N cadherin (N Cad) and α smooth muscle actin (α SMA) protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. - The expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and fibroblast specific protein 1 (FSP 1) was detected by Results immunofluorescence. The lung structure was intact and the alveolar structure was normal in the control group. The alveolar structure was destroyed, the alveolar wall was thickened, and cellular nodules were observed/n the model group. The lung tissue lesions of rats in the tetrandrine group and YCF group were reduced compared with that in the model group, and there was no difference in the degree of lesions between the two groups. The tidal volume, FRC and vital capacity of rats in model P< - P< group decreased (all 0.05), the relative expression of E Cad protein in lung tissue decreased ( 0.05), the fibrosis score and - - - - the level of hydroxyproline, the protein relative expression of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, N Cad and α SMA in lung tissue increased (all P< - 0.05), while the fluorescence intensity of EpCAM protein decreased, and that of FSP 1 protein increased compared with the P< control group. The tidal volume, FRC and vital capacity of rats in tetrandrine and YCF groups increased (all 0.05), the fibrosis - - - score and the level of hydroxyproline, the protein relative expression of COL Ⅰ, N Cad and α SMA in lung tissue decreased (all P< - P< 0.05), the relative expression of E Cad protein in lung tissues increased ( 0.05), while the EpCAM protein fluorescence - intensity increased and FSP 1 protein fluorescence intensity decreased compared with the model group. The relative expression - P< Conclusion of N Cad protein in lung tissues of YCF group was lower than that of the tetrandrine group ( 0.05). YCF can - improve the lung function, alleviate collagen deposition in lung tissues, and inhibit the epithelial mesenchymal transition in silicosis model rats, and then attenuates the progression of silicotic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of adductor spasmodic dysphonia phonatory break in mandarin Chinese and select the stimuli phrases. METHOD: Thirty-eight patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia were involved in this study. Standard phrase " fù mŭ xīn" and a speech corpus in mandarin Chinese with 229 syllables covering all vowel and constant of mandarin Chinese were selected. Every patient read the phrases above twice in normal speed and comfortable voice. Two auditory perpetual speech pathologists marked phonatory break syllables respectively. The frequency of phonatory break syllables and their located phrases were calculated, rated and described. The phrases including the most phonatory break syllables were selected as stimuli phrases, the phonatory break frequency of which was also higher than that of standard phrase "fù mŭ xīn". RESULT: Phonatory break happened in the reading of all patients. The average number of phonatory break syllables was 14 (3-33). Phonatroy break occurred when saying 177 (77.3%) syllables in the speech corpus. The syllables "guŏ, rén, zāng, diàn, chē, gè, guăn, a, bā, ne, de" broke in 23.1%-41.0% patients. These syllables belonged to the phrases "pĭng guŏ, huŏ chē, shì de, nĭ shì gè hăo rén, wŏ mén shì yŏu zŏng shì bă qĭn shì nong dé hĕn zāng, wŏ mén nà biān yŏu wăng qiú yùn dong chăng, cān gŭan, jiŭ bā hé yī gè miàn bāo dìan, tā shì duō me kāng kăi a,wŏ yīng gāi zài xìn lĭ xiĕ yī xiē shén mē ne?". Thirty-seven patients (97.3%) had phonatory break in above mentioned words. Ratios of these words phonatory break also were more than "fù mŭ xīn". CONCLUSION Adductor spasmodic dysphonic patients exhibited different degrees of phonatory break in mandarine Chinese. The phrases" shì de, pĭng guŏ, huŏ chē, nĭ shì gè hăo rén, wŏ mén nà biān yŏu wăng qiú yùn dong chăng, cān gŭan, jiŭ bā hé yī gè miàn bāo dìan, tā shì duō me kāng kăi a" were recommended as stimuli phrases for adductor spasmodic dysphonia evaluation.
Dysphonia ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Phonation ; Spasm ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Voice

Objective To investigate the effect of Jiawei Naotaifang on neuronal apoptosis and the mechanism in ovariectomized rats with cerebral ischemia. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats(n=40)were randomly divided into sham group(n=10),model group(n=10),es-trogen group(n=10)and Jiawei Naotaifang group(n=10).The model group,estrogen group and Jiawei Naotai-fang group were ovariectomized.Eleven days after ovariectomy,the estrogen group and Jiawei Naotaifang group were given estrogen and Jiawei Naotaifang respectively intragastrically for three days.14 days after ovariecto-my,the model group,estrogen group and Jiawei Naotaifang group were modeled cerebral ischemia with Langa's method.24 hours after modeling,the apoptosis rate of neurons was detected with TUNEL,and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK)in hippocampus were de-tected with Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, the apoptosis rates decreased in Jiawei Naotaifang group and the estrogen group(P<0.001),with more activation of ERK1/2(P<0.01)and less activation of JNK(P<0.01). Conclusion Jiawei Naotaifang can protect neuron from apoptosis by promoting the activation of ERK1/2 and inhibiting the activation of p-JNK.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanical virtual reality when acupuncture on Jianliao (TE 14) so as to get perform perceptual knowledge of acupuncture for beginners through studying 3D reconstruction of surrounding tissues of this acupoint.

METHODSRelated tissues were segmented and reconstructed by establishing mathematics model based on the operational platform of VOXEL-MAN (vision reappearance); and mechanical model was constructed and fused with related data of virtual human (touch reappearance); data communication between the force feedback apparatus and the operational platform of virtual human were set up by interchanging vision reappearance module and touch reappearance module.

RESULTSIn Linux system, the operator could experience the mechanical changes while needle-tip passing various tissues of Jianliao (TE 14) as well as lifting and thrusting evenly in needling process through the force feedback apparatus.

CONCLUSIONBased on the platform of VOXEL-MAN, the sensation of needling at jianliao (TE 14) could be reappeared idealy by strength feedback instrument, so that the beginners could imitate, learn and practice the virtual acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted ; User-Computer Interface

This paper discusses the application of virtual reality technology in the 3-D visible human body and acupuncture research. Based on the 3-D visible human fused with the localization information and hierarchy of acupoints, the paper analyzes the force against the needle and haptic rendering during the needle manipulation according to the physical properties of different tissues. A haptic model is constructed to demonstrate the force behaviors during acupuncture, and the force will be produced and passed to the manipulator by a force feedback device. It enriches the contents of 3-D visible human project, provides a dynamic simulation instrument for acupuncture teaching, and supplies a platform for acupuncture research.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; China ; Computer Simulation ; Feedback ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; User-Computer Interface ; Visible Human Projects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of exogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), batimastat, in the lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in dogs.

METHODSThirty healthy mongrel puppies were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, low-dose group [batimastat 10 mg/(kg.d) for 3 days before operation] and high-dose group [batimastat 30 mg/(kg.d) for 3 days before operation]. The off-pump puppies' model of acute lung injury was established, and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored. The preoperative and postoperative alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (A-aDO(2)) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated. From the beginning of surgery, blood samples were taken at the time 0, 60, 120, and 270 min. Plasma concentrations of MMP-9 were measured by ELISA, and blood MMP-9 mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of centrifugal bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured by Colorimetry. And MMP-9 activity was determined by Gelatin zymography. Light and electronic microscope were used to observe the morphological changes of lung tissue. A small piece of left lung tissue was taken, weighed and baked to calculate the wet weight (W/D) index.

RESULTSAfter cardiopulmonary bypass, the concentrations of MMP-9 and mRNA expressions of the control group were increased significantly, and lung injury was apparent. At 270 min, the MMP-9 plasma concentration of high-dose group (17.36 +/- 1.18) microg/L was significant reducing than control group (30.47 +/- 2.22) microg/L (P < 0.05). After operation, A-aDO(2) and RI of high-dose group were significantly improved than control group (P < 0.05). The W/D index of the high-dose group (2.8 +/- 0.48) was significantly lower than that of control group (4.7 +/- 0.6) (P < 0.05). And the pathological changes of lung tissue were significantly improved in the high-dose group. However, there was no significant difference in the MMP-9 mRNA expression in three groups.

CONCLUSIONSBatimastat plays a role in the protection of the lung injury of CBP by reducing the concentration and activity of MMP-9, the degradation of the cell membrane and pulmonary neutrophil infiltration and reduction of pulmonary edema.

Acute Lung Injury ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Lung ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; Phenylalanine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Thiophenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of different treatment options for the flat type of sudden hearing loss.

METHODSProspective, multi-center clinical study was carried out using internationally used standardized clinical research method. Patients with the flat type of sudden hearing loss between 18 and 65 years old, within two weeks duration, and without any medical treatment were recruited. Treatment options were randomly selected according to the designed random table.

RESULTSFrom August 2007 to October 2011, 402 patients with the flat type of sudden hearing loss who met the criteria (account for 39.26% of the total number of patients) from the 33 hospitals were collected; the total effective rate was 82.59%, and no significant difference was detected between different treatments, (χ(2) = 10.95, P = 0.28). In the 402 cases, 139 were cured (34.58%); 118 were markedly improved (29.35%); 75 were effective (18.66%); 70 were invalid (17.41%).

CONCLUSIONSThe therapeutic efficacy of flat type of sudden hearing loss overall is good; the treatment of improving the inner ear blood rheology and/or reducing blood fibrinogen has clinical significance; the therapeutic efficacy of using glucocorticoid systemically is good as well; there is no obvious difference between combination and single medication.

Adult ; Aged ; Ear, Inner ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI),H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and 3D whole-brain arterial spin labeling (3D ASL) in the diagnosis of medulloblastoma in the posterior cranial fossa.

METHODSThe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 16 patients with pathologically confirmed medulloblastoma in the posterior cranial fossa were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were examined with plane and enhanced brain MRI scans; 5 patients also underwent examinations with DWI, 12 with MRS, and 5 with 3D ASL.

RESULTSMedulloblastomas were found in the vermis and the fourth ventricle in 9 cases, in the cerebellar hemisphere in 5 cases, and in the cerebellopontine angle in 1 case; in 1 case multiple lesions were detected. The tumors showed iso-intense or slightly hypo-intense signals on TWI, and iso-intense or hyper-intense signals on TWI and FLAIR. The lesions showed high signals in DWI and low signals in ADC. Intra-lesion cysts were common (n=12), and calcification and bleeding were rarely seen. Mild patchy enhancement (n=6) or significant enhancement (n=10) was seen after contrast agent administration. Obstructive hydrocephalus was found in 12 cases and the subarachnoid space was involved in 3 cases. In all the 12 patients receiving MRS examination, high Cho and low NAA were found with significantly increased Cho/Cr (&ge;3.5) and Cho/NAA (&ge;4.0) ratios; Tau peak was seen in 8 cases, and Lip peak was found in 4 cases. All the 5 patients receiving 3D ASL examination showed decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF).

CONCLUSIONThe characteristic features of medulloblastomas in DWI, MRS and 3D ASL offer assistance to the diagnosis of atypical medulloblastoma.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Jiawei-Naotai formula (JWNTF) on ATF4/CHOP/Puma pathway in hippocampal neurons of ovariectomized female rats with cerebral ischemia.METHODS:The female rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, JWNTF group and positive control group.The rats, expect in the sham group, were ovariectomized.The rats in each group were intragastric administration 11 days after ovariectomy.The rats in sham group and model group were given a gavage of 0.9％Na Cl, while the rats in other groups were administrated by corresponding therapy intragastrically for 3 d.The regional cerebral ischemia model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) suture method 14 days after ovariectomy.The behaviors of the rats were evaluated 24 h after cerebral ischemia.The mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, ATF4, CHOP and Puma was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with sham group, the neurobehavioral scores significantly increased in other groups (P<0.05).Compared with model group, the neurobehavioral scores were significantly decreased in positive control group and JWNTF group (P<0.05).The protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, ATF4, CHOP and Puma, and the mRNA expression of Bax and caspase-3 in the hippocampus were much higher, and Bcl-2 was lower in model group than those in sham group (P<0.05).JWNTF significantly reduced the protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, ATF4 and CHOP, and the mRNA expression of Puma, Bax and caspase-3, and markedly increased the expression of Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels compared with model group.CONCLUSION:The JWNTF protects against brain damage induced by cerebral ischemia, which may be related to inhibitiing the expression of ATF4/CHOP/Puma pathway-related molecules at mRNA and protein levels.