Objective To investigate the life quality of children with intractable epilepsy and observe the effect of psychological intervention on them.Methods Thirty-nine children with intractable epilepsy,42 children with drug respond epilepsy and 40 healthy children were employed and tested by using of the child self-report scale of quality of life for children with epilepsy.Scores of quality of life were compared among 3 groups.Children with intractable epilepsy were divided randomly into 2 groups:psychological intervention group(19 cases)and non psychological intervention group(20 cases).Only drug treatment was given in non psychological intervention group,drug treatment and psychological intervention were given in psychological intervention group,quality of life was valuated before and 1 month after psychological intervention,then scores of quality of life were compared after and before psychological intervention in psychological intervention group,total scores of quality of life were compared between psychological intervention group after and before psychological intervention and non psychological intervention group.Results Compared with children with drug respond epilepsy and healthy children,the children with intractable epilepsy had lower scores of quality of life(Pa

Objective:To analyze the related risk factors for esophageal variceal bleeding(EVB)in patients with hepatocirrhosis and portal hypertension,so as to provide clinical evidences for establishing preventive measures for EVB. Methods:Using"*esophag*","varice*","bleeding","hemorrhage",and"risk factor*"as the key words,we searched the clinical studies(1986-2006)about the risk factors of EVB in hepatocirrhosis patients in PubMed,Medline,Chinese Biomedical Database,Elsevier Database,OVID Database,etc.for Meta-analysis.The odds ratio(OR)of each risk factor was estimated and the 95% confidence interval[95% CI]was calculated.Results:Totally 19 papers met our criteria and were included in this Meta-analysis.The 19 papers involved 995 EVB patients and 1854 controls.Meta-analysis revealed that a hepatic function of Child C,decreased prothrombin activity,hypoalbuminemia,severe esophageal varices,positive red-color sign,extended portal vein width and splenic vein width,thrombopenia,leucopenia and anemia were the risk factors of EVB;a hepatic function of Child A and mild esophageal varices were the protective factors of EVB.The gender,age,hepatic function of Child B,ascites, hepatic encephalopathy,hyperbilirubinemia and midrange esophageal varices were not significantly associated with EVB. Conclusion:Improvement of poor hepatic function,blood coagulation status,hypoalbuminemia and treatment & prevention of severe esophageal varices(by endoscopic variceal ligation,devascularization and shunt)can help to reduce the incidence of EVB.

Objective To investigate the effect of heat treatment on the proliferation of, melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in cultured normal human melanocytes. Methods Normal human foreskin tissue was obtained by sterile circumcision and melanocytes were harvested by using methods for epidermal cell culture. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was utilized as the primary mitogen to establish the culture system of normal human epidermal melanocytes. Masson-Fontana staining was proformed to identify melanocytes.Third-passage melanocytes were treated with hyperthermia at various temperatures (39 ℃, 41 ℃, 42 ℃, 43 ℃ and 45℃) for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days followed by the measurement of cell viability with MTT assay. The hyperthermia at optimized temperature was used to treat fourth-passage melanocytes for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days; subsequently, the tyrosinase activity were detected with L-Dopa as the substrate, and melanin content was determined in heat-treated and untreated (control) melanocytes. Results The hyperthermia at 42 ℃ exhibited the strongest promotive effect on the proliferation of melanocytes among these 5 hyperthermia conditions. After treatment with hyperthermia at 42 ℃ for 1 hour a day for consecutive 3 days, melanocytes showed an increment in tyrosinase activity by 36.4% and melanin synthesis by 78% compared with the untreated melanocytes (both P＜0.05). Conclusions Heat treatment can enhance the proliferation of cultured human melanocytes, promote their melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity.

Objective To assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of preoperative low dose intravenous amiodarone in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Methods Two hundred patients with coronary atheroselerotic heart disease underwent selected OPCAB and were randomly divided into two groups: control group (100 cases) and experimental group (100 cases). Patients in control group were given conventional medicines and placebo, and patients in experimental group were treated with low dose intravenous amiodarone daily for 4 days before surgery. They were given conventional medicines after surgery. Results After the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, the incidence of AF, ventricular rate and the duration of AF in the experimental group were lower than those in control group [15% vs. 41%, χ2=16.766, P=0.000; (126.0±20.8) times/ min vs. (150.0±25.6) times/ min, t=0.478, P =0. 017; (8. 0±8. 6) h vs. (12.0±9.6) h, t=0. 439, P=0. 019]. No significant difference were found in the incidence of side effect between low close amiodarone group and the control group. Conclusions Prophylactic application of low dose intravenous arniodarone before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can safely and effectively reduce the postoperative ventricular rate and the incidence of AF, shorten the duration of AF, promote the rehabilitation and slightly improve the clinical symptoms.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of adrenal androgen excess in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ACTH stimulation test was conducted and the polymorphisms in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 gene were screened to verify the variations related to the responsiveness to ACTH stimulation. Methods 30 healthy women and 101 PCOS patients, matched for age, were recruited from Ruijin hospital. Blood biochemical examinations were taken and sex hormone profiles obtained at baseline. 17 hydroxyprogesterone( 17OHP)was measured at 0 and 60 min in an ACTH stimulation test. The -710 bp -1 bp of the promoter region of CYP21A2 was sequenced in 87 PCOS patients and 30 control subjects. Results According to the post-stimulation 17 OHP levels obtained from 30 healthy women,PCOS patients were allocated into one group with high responsiveness to ACTH ( HR-PCOS, n = 21) and the other with normal responsiveness to ACTH ( NR-PCOS, n = 80). Compared with NR-PCOS subjects, HR-PCOS patients had higher testosterone( P<0.05), basal and post-stimulation 17OHP (both P<0.01)and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) .whereas serum cortisol and androstenedione levels were not significantly different before and after ACTH stimulation test. The genotypes of locus -535 were well correlated with post-stimulation 17OHP levels (r = 0. 20,P = 0. 03) in PCOS patients and the control subjects. The genotype T/T or allele T was significantly more frequent in subjects with a higher fertile of post-stimulation 17OHP (P<0.05 or P<0. 01). The odds ratio(OR)for higher responsiveness to ACTH in women with allele T at -535 was 3. 69 (95% CI 1. 69-8. 06,P = 0. 000 7). Conclusions The PCOS patients with higher responsiveness to ACTH are characterized by severe hyperandrogenemia and adrenal androgenexcess,suggesting that adrenal androgen excess in some PCOS patients may be due to higher responsiveness to ACTH. The polymorphism of -535C>T in the promoter region of CYP21 A2 may play a role in regulating 21 hydroxylase gene expression and further influencing 17OHP responsiveness to ACTH.

Objective To investigate the effect of cordyceps sinensis from different origins on immune response in mice. Methods Cordyceps sinensis from two origins were prepared into powder, and then the mice were divided into high, middle and low dose(0.4,0.2,0.1 g.kg-1)groups, respectively.In addition, purified water was given as the normal control group.Effects of cordyceps from two different origins were observed by detecting spleen lymphocyte proliferation induced by ConA, delayed type hypersensitivity ( DTH) in mice induced by sheep red blood cells ( SRBC ) , the number of antibody-producing cells, carbon clearance and peritoneal macrophages Swallow fluorescent microspheres, as well as the activity of NK cells. Results The ability of spleen lymphocyte proliferation induced by ConA, carbon clearance and peritoneal macrophages Swallow fluorescent microspheres, and the activity of NK cells were significantly enhanced in the middle and high dose group of two different origins cordyceps, compared with normal control group (P<0.05).Additionally, the number of antibody-producing cells was obviously increased in medium dose group of both origins cordyceps and decreased in the high dose group (P<0.05).The middle and high dose Qinghai cordyceps significantly improved DTH in mice, while Tibet cordyceps sinensis had no obvious effect, and there was significant difference (P<0.05) between the high dose group of Qinghai and three dose groups of Tibet Cordyceps sinensis.In addition, levels of serum hemolysin in mice were significantly increased in the middle and high dose group of Qinghai and high dose group of Tibet Cordyceps sinensis (P<0.05), and the differences of corresponding medium and high doses of two origins were significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusion Cordyceps sinensis of both different regions significantly improved the immune response of mice.However, the efficacy between the two origins was roughly equivalent and had no significant difference.

Objective To evaluate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =5 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), hepatic I/R group (group I/R) , and group DHA.Hepatic I/R was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle supplying the left and middle lobes of the liver for 60 min, followed by 24 h reperfusion in anesthetized rats.DHA 4 mg/kg was injected intravenously at 30 min before ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion in group DHA.The equal volume of solvent was given instead in S and I/R groups.Blood samples were taken from the inferior vena cava at 24 h of reperfusion for determination of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, and resolvin D1 concentrations.The rats were then sacrificed, and the livers were removed for determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (by spectrophotometry), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression (by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction).The livers were cut into sections which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and examined under light microscope.Results Compared to group S, the serum ALT and AST activities, serum resolvin D1 concentrations, and MPO activity, and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in liver tissues were significantly increased in I/R and DHA groups (P＜0.05).Compared to group Ⅰ/R, the serum resolvin 1D1 concentrations, and MPO activity and TNF-α mRNA expression in liver tissues were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) , and no significant difference was found in the serum ALT and AST activities in group DHA (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in pathological changes of the liver between group DHA and group I/R.Conclusion DHA can attenuate inflammatory responses during hepatic I/R, but it is not sufficient to mitigate liver injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) synthases/H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.Methods Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups:(1) 2-kidney,1-clip (2K-1C group,n=7),(2) control (n=7),(3)sham (n=7),and (4) 2K-1C plus sodium hydrosulfide (NariS) (NariS-treated group,n=7).The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by a tail-cuff method using a pulse transducer once a week.Four weeks later,all rats were killed and the concentration of plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S),the activity of the H2S syntha.ses in the kidneys on both sides,the plasma angiotensin Ⅱ concentration,and the left-to-whole heart weight ratio were measured.Results The SBP was significantly increased in the 2K-IC group (185.4± 14.0mmHg) comparing with those in the sham group (112.9±6.5mmHg,,or the NariS-treated group(134.8±9.5mmHg) (both P＜0.01).At 4 weeks,the angiotensin Ⅱ concentration in the plasma was increased in the 2K-1C and NariS-treated group,comparing with the control and the sham group (306.92±7.03 pg/ml and 240.73±13.22 pg/ml vs 122.6±25.49 pg/ml and 125.95±10.55 pg/ml,respectively,both P＜0.05).The plasma H2S concentration and the activity of H2S synthases in the left kidney were decreased in the 2K-1C group comparing with those in the sham and the control groups.There was no difference of the activity of the H2S synthases in the right kidneys among the 4 groups.The left-to-whole heart weight ratio was increased in the 2K-1C and the NariS-treated group camparing with that in the sham and natural control groups.Conclusions Dysfunction of the H2S synthases/H2S pathway was involved in the 2K-1C-induced renovascular hypertension in rat.Exogenous administration of H2S donor can attenuate the development of hypertension.These findings suggest that the H2S synthases/H2S pathway participates in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.

Objective To assess the value of CT perfusion imaging in differentiation of mild from moderate liver fibrosis .Methods 18 patients with mild liver fibrosis (F1 phase) and 21 ones with moderate fibrosis (F2 and F3 phase) confirmed by liver biopsy were analyzed ,and all patients underwent the liver 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging .The differences in the CT parameters including hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) ,portal venous perfusion (PVP) ,total liver perfusion (TLP) and time to peak (TTP) between dif‐ferent fibrosis were analyzed .ROC curve was used to evaluate the ability of perfusion indexes to distinguish mild from moderate liver fibrosis ,then the maximum Youden index was selected as a cutoff point to calculate the sensitivity and specificity .Results Compared with the mild fibrosis ,the TTP [(43 .86 ± 13 .41)s vs (37 .84 ± 9 .97)s ,P=0 .034)] in liver with moderate fibrosis was significantly increased .However ,no differences in the HAP ,PVP and TLP were found .The ROC curve analysis showed that a TTP threshold of 41 .7 s allowed discrimination of mild from moderate fibrosis with a sensitivity of 72 .7% and a specificity of 75% .Conclusion 256‐slice CT perfusion imaging can reflect the hemodynamic changes of liver fibrosis ,and the TTP may help to discriminate mild from moderate fibrosis .