OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effect of massage in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD), and its effect on hemodynamics parameters of uterine artery and serum prostaglandins.

METHODS60 PD patients were randomly assigned to the massage group and the control group, 30 in each. Patients in the massage group received massage, while those in the control group orally took ibuprofen sustained release capsule, both for three menstrual cycles. The pain degree was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS). The hemodynamics parameters of uterine artery [including pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic to diastolic peak ratio (S/D)], the serum levels of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and PGE2 in the menstruation were detected in the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in each index before treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, the scores of VAS (mm, 33. 17+/-7.93 vs 63.53+/-9.48), PI (2.18+/-0.18 vs 2.74+/-0.23), RI (0.67+/-0.09 vs 0. 86+/-0.27), S/D (5.44+/-0.47 vs 7.56+/-0.28), and serum PGF2a level (ng/L, 28. 10+/-2.41 vs 37.68+/-2.16) were lower and serum PGE, level (ng/L, 29.82+/-2.13 vs 26.43+/-1.42) higher in the massage group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMassage had favorable therapeutic effect on PD. Its effect might be achieved through improving the blood circulation of uterus, adjusting the abnormal levels of PGF2a and PGE2, thus exerting pain relief effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Dysmenorrhea ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ibuprofen ; therapeutic use ; Massage ; Pain Measurement ; Prostaglandins ; blood ; Uterus ; blood supply ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of carbon-coated iron nanoparticles carrying cisplatin on the growth of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells and expressions of Caspase 3 and Survivin mRNA.Methods NCI-H446 lung cancer cells were treated with iron-carbon nanoparticles and/or cisplatin.The cell viability was detected by MTT method,and the mRNA expressions of Caspase 3 and Survivin were measured with RT-PCR.Results Cisplatin could inhibit the growth of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells,and the inhibitory effect was stronger when it was combined with the iron-carbon nanoparticles.The cells had apoptosis.The mRNA expression of Caspase 3 of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells was remarkably enhanced after treatment with iron-carbon nanoparticles combined with cisplatin,while the mRNA expression of Survivin was notably weakened (P＜0.05).Conclusion Carbon-coated iron nanoparticles carrying cisplatin could significantly increase the chemotherapy sensitivity of cisplatin on NCI-H446 lung cancer cells and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.

Objective To study the periodontal status and risk factors for periodontitis in periodontitis patients at different ages in wuhan. Methods From January 2007 to March 2008, the cross-sectional survey on periodontal conditions of 493 physical examinees in Wuhan city was carried out with random cluster sampling method. 458 cases of them were in accordance with the inclusive criteria and were stratified into two groups: young and middle-aged adults (aged 30-59 years) and old adults (aged 60 years and over). A case-control study was carried out in the periodontitis cases group (n=280) and the control group (n=178). Database was created by SQSERVER2000 and SPSS11.0 was used for statistical analysis. The relationship of periodontitis with age, gender, nation, educational background, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, mental pressure and oral hygiene habits were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of periodontitis was 61.1% (280/458). Univariate analysis revealed that age, educational background, diabetes mellitus, smoking and oral hygiene habits were related factors for periodontitis (OR:0.44, 2.27, 3.44, 1.75, 9.82, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that suffering from diabetes mellitu and low educational background were the independent risk factors for periodontitis (OR=2.66, 1.95, all P<0.05). After stratification by age, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was no correlation between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis prevalence in young and middle-aged adults and diabetes mellitus was a risk factor for periodontitis in old adults(OR=6.91, 95%CI: 1.27～37.42). Conclusions There are many risk factors for periodontitis and diabetes plays a major role in the development of periodontitis in old adults.

Aortic valve stenosis,as a common heart valve disease,progresses rapidly and has a poor clinical prognosis.In the case of combined acute heart failure,the pumping function of the heart is severely impaired,which may lead to a significant decrease in cardiac output,resulting in a state of shock.Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has become a first-line treatment for elderly patients with aortic valve stenosis since its first successful case in 2002.In China,with the advancement of technology and the strengthening of physician training,the capacity of grassroots hospitals in TAVR treatment is increasing.This case reports a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis accompanied by acute heart failure and shock status who received emergency TAVR treatment at a grassroots hospital.Due to limitations in conditions,TAVR was urgently implemented without extracorporeal circulation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.The patient's blood pressure immediately rose to 105/65 mmHg after valve dilation during surgery,and the postoperative symptoms were significantly relieved.Follow up color Doppler ultrasound showed that the stenosis was relieved and the heart function was significantly improved.The success of this surgery provides a reference for emergency TAVR treatment in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and heart failure in grassroots hospitals.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of recombinant human Interleukin 11 in the treatment of pre-aplastic anemia, six patients with pre-aplastic anemia were injected with rhIL-11 of 6 million units once a day during 7-14 days. Blood platelet counts were taken on day 8, 15, 30 and 60 after the treatment, and bone marrow examination was performed on day 15 as compared with those before treatment. The results showed that platelet counts in 3 out of 6 patients increased remarkably (50%), one of the six increased moderately (16.7%), another case of the six increased slightly (16.7%), platelet in one out of six did not significantly increase (16.7%), the total efficacy rate is 83.3%, the amount of megakaryocyte in bone marrow of all six patients increased, the side effect of the rhIL-11 treatment was light. In conclusion, the efficacy of recombinant human Interleukin-11 in the treatment of thrombocytopenia patients with pre-aplastic anemia is satisfactory. As the number of the cases is too small to conclude, further exploration needs accumulation of more applications.
Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-11 ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Count ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Thrombocytopenia ; blood ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic manifestations of non-compaction of ventricular myocardium (NVM).

METHODSClinical data, electrocardiograms, echocardiography images and pathologic changes were studied in five cases of non-compaction of ventricular myocardium.

RESULTSThe patient's ages ranged from 29 to 57 years old, all were males. Abnormal electrocardiograms were obtained in all of the 5 cases. Among them, 3 were diagnosed using echocardiography. Histopathologic examination showed that there were abnormally coarse muscle trabeculation and deep recesses, interlacing in arrangement, over the inner wall of the heart chambers. The compacted myocardium became thinning down gradually from the base to the apex of the heart. The non-compacted myocardium bundles locating close to the endocardium were coarse and orderless in arrangement, nuclei were irregular and abnormal, nevertheless, the arrangement and appearance of the muscle bundles near by the pericardium part were essentially normal and the cell nuclei were evenly distributed.

CONCLUSIONThere are no specific clinical manifestations obtained in patients with non-compaction of ventricular myocardium, however, the pathologic changes are characteristic and a clinical diagnosis can be made by using echocardiography.

Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; pathology ; Humans ; Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDIn vitro fertilization (IVF) researches have suggested that cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) is involved in oocyte development. However, little is known about the regional and cellular expression patterns of CBS in the ovary. The purpose of this study was to analyze the localization of CBS in mice ovaries and to investigate the expression profile during follicular development.

METHODSWe used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis to determine CBS expression in the ovaries of female Balb/c mice. Then the follicles were collected from F1 (C57BL x Balb/c) mice and cultured in vitro. With the method of semi-quantitative RT-PCR, we also investigated the expression profile of CBS during follicular development.

RESULTSCBS was absent in the oocytes, although it was ubiquitously expressed in the ovary with the strongest expression in follicular cells at all stages. In late antral follicles, CBS expression was markedly higher in granulosa cells located close to the antrum and in cumulus cells around the oocyte. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that CBS mRNA was detected in follicles at all stages in vitro. In cumulus-oocyte complexes superovulated, CBS expression also increased rapidly.

CONCLUSIONSCBS was located mainly in the follicular cells in the ovaries. The level of CBS expression is high in follicles during folliculogenesis in mice. Differences in the CBS expression profile between oocyte and follicular cells suggest a role for CBS as a mediator in interactions between oocyte and granulosa cells.

Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; analysis ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Ovary ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

Objective To investigate the selective targeting ability of a novel folate-modified nanobubbles with two-fold amount of folate [(FOL)2-NBs] . Methods DSPE-PEG2000-AD-(FOL)2with two-fold of folate per DSPE-PEG2000 chain was synthesized and then tested by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) . The novel (FOL)2-NBs was prepared using the mechanical shaking method based on lipid-stabilized perfluoropropane . The bubble size was measured by Malvern laser particle size analyzer and the contrast enhancement ability was also detected with imaging machine using a self-made agarose mold . The experiment of selective targeting ability was also carried out in human breast cancer MCF-7 cell with over-expression of folate receptor ( FR) using fluorescence activated cell sorting ( FACS) . Results The result of 1H NMR proved that DSPE-PEG2000-AD-( FOL )2was successfully synthesized ,and the purity reached up to 90% . The novel prepared ( FOL) 2-NBs showed superior contrast enhancement ability with a particle size of ( 286 .87 ± 22 .96) nm . Compared with the conventional NBs ,the novel ( FOL) 2-NBs exhibited improved selective cellular targeting ability proven by FACS . Conclusions A novel nanobubble with improved selective targeting ability is successfully prepared and shows great potential in extravascular imaging and curation in FR overexpressed tumors .

Background: Early diagnosis and accurate staging are important to improve the cure rate and prognosis for pancreatic cancer.This study was performed to develop an automatic and accurate imaging processing technique system,allowing this system to read computed tomography(CT)images correctly and make diagnosis of pancreatic cancer faster.Methods: The establishment of the artificial intelligence(AI)system for pancreatic cancer diagnosis based on sequential contrast-enhanced CT images were composed of two processes: training and verification.During training process,our study used all 4385 CT images from 238 pancreatic cancer patients in the database as the training data set.Additionally,we used VGG16,which was pre-trained in ImageNet and contained 13 convolutional layers and three fully connected layers,to initialize the feature extraction network.In the verification experiment,we used sequential clinical CT images from 238 pancreatic cancer patients as our experimental data and input these data into the faster region-based convolution network(Faster R-CNN)model that had completed training.Totally,1699 images from 100 pancreatic cancer patients were included for clinical verification.Results: A total of 338 patients with pancreatic cancer were included in the study.The clinical characteristics(sex,age,tumor location,differentiation grade,and tumor-node-metastasis stage)between the two training and verification groups were insignificant.The mean average precision was 0.7664,indicating a good training effect of the Faster R-CNN.Sequential contrast-enhanced CT images of 100 pancreatic cancer patients were used for clinical verification.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve calculated according to the trapezoidal rule was 0.9632.It took approximately 0.2 s for the Faster R-CNN AI to automatically process one CT image,which is much faster than the time required for diagnosis by an imaging specialist.Conclusions: Faster R-CNN AI is an effective and objective method with high accuracy for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

A case-report on adenoma of the posterior urethra. Methods: In 131 cases of adenoma of the posterior urethra, aged 17- 79 (mean: 36.4) years, a detailed medical history was taken and urinalysis, urethroscopy, and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) immunohistochemical staining were performed. They were then treated with transurethral resection (TUR) or transurethral electric coagulation (TUEC). Results: Hemospermia occurred in 51% of the cases, hematuria in 38 %, bood overflow from the urethral orifice in 6 %, and dysuria in 5 %. The position of the tumor was at or around the verurumontanum. The appearance of the rumor was similar to those of a papilla, a villus, a dactyl or polyp, or simply an engorgement. The tumor contained glandular alveoli and adeno-epithelial cells. PSA immunohistochemistry was positive in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the adeno-epithelial cell. One hundred and tweenty-nine cases were cured after TUR or TUEC, while 2 patients recurred and were operated again. Conclusion: Adenoma of the posterior urethra is a common cause of hemospermia and hematuria in young men. Urethroscopic examination and biopsy are the principal diagnostic measures. TUR or TUEC are believed to be the treatment of choice with a short-term recurrence rate of around 1.5%.