Objective To compare the degree of trauma, postoperative pain, and cosmetic outcomes of endoscopic-assisted thyroidectomy (EAT), transthoracic endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET), and conventional thyroidectomy (CT), and to explore the characteristics of EAT and TET. Methods Forty-five patients with thyroid nodules were divided into three groups (n=15 in each) to underwent EAT, TET, or CT. The plasma levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), and T-lymphocyte subgroups (CD3, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+) were determined before and 24 and 72 hours after the operations. The degree of operative trauma was compared after the operation. Postoperative pain and cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS) and 5-degree evaluation respectively. Results The VAS in the EAT group was 2.2?1.7 and 1.1?1.1 on the first and third day postoperation, which were significantly lower than those in the TET group (3.6?1.4 and 2.2?0.7, respectively; q=3.698, P0.05).Compared to preoperation, the level of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte in the CT group was decreased at 24 hours after the operation (q=4.076, P0.05). The levels of CRP determined at 24 and 72 hours postoperation were both significantly higher than that before the operation in the three groups (EAT group: m=21, P

Female ; Humans ; Cervix Uteri/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/surgery*

Adult ; Endocarditis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoses ; Recurrence

Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia ; pathology ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male

Fluorescent probes are potential fluorophores that display signals based on the changes in tissue microenvironment, interactions with analytes or specific biochemical reactions. Metabolic enzymes are the most important protein involved in bacteria activities. Complex dynamics of biological processes in bacteria are elucidated by these metabolic enzymes-based fluorescent probes with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. Here, we review recent advances in metabolic enzyme-responsive fluorescent probes for bacteria imaging. It was organized according to enzyme classification systems, focused on fluorescence masking strategies, molecular mechanisms of enzyme activation, and bio-related applications.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopic endo-incision and drainage in the treatment of renal cysts.Methods Thirty cases(19 females and 11 males)of renal cysts(1 1 parapelvie cysts,15 simple cysts.and 4 multiple cysts)were treated with ureteroscopic endo-incision and drainage.The renal cysts were located in renal pelvis,and opened and decompressed by electrotme with ureteroscope.Double J stent was placed afterwards.Urinary and blood biochemistry were tested post-operatively.Results All the operations were successfully completed with no severe complication.The cyst managing time ranged from 15 tO 45 min.Urinary biochemistry(urinary protein and glucose)turned normal 1 2 days after the surgery.Patients were followed up for 3 to 9 months.Renal cysts disappeared in 24 cases,diminished in 4 cases,and recurred in 2 cases.Conclusion Application of ureteroscopic technique in the treatment of renal cyst is safe,effective and minimally invasive.

The sequences of ITS, matK, rbcL and psbA-trnH of 9 Gynostemma species or variety including 38 samples were compared and analyzed by molecular phylogeny method. Hemsleya macrosperma was designated as outgroup. The MP and NJ phylogenetic tree of Gynostemma was built based on ITS sequence, the results of PAUP phylogenetic analysis showed the following results: (1) The eight individuals of G. pentaphyllum var. pentaphyllum were not supported as monophyletic in the strict consensus trees and NJ trees. (2) It is suspected whether G. longipes and G. laxum should be classified as the independent species. (3)The classification of subgenus units of Gynostemma plants is supported.
Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

With the advance of drug development and research techniques, the drug metabolic processes and mechanism can be more deeply achieved. As the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics process are mediated by drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters, study of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters has become an important part for drug development. The traditional immunoassays with low sensitivity and poor specificity can not reflect the accurate expression level of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. We now give a brief review on the quantitative study of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters by mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach.
Enzymes ; chemistry ; Humans ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Mass Spectrometry ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; chemistry ; Pharmacokinetics ; Proteomics

Objective: To summarize the influence patterns of related time factors on acupuncture effectiveness in different disease model rats/mice, and to provide reference for acupuncture clinical practice. Methods: Retrieved the relevant literatures on time-effect experimental studies of acupuncture in rats/mice in the recent 10 years. The correlations between the key time factors (such as different intervention timings of acupuncture, acupuncture moments, operation durations, needle-retaining times, intervals and treatment courses) and the acupuncture effect were analyzed and summarized. Results: From the mainstream perspective of quantification, the earlier the acupuncture intervention, the better. The proper time to implement acupuncture varied depending on disease models and points. The best operation time varied widely between different diseases. The most frequently needle-retaining time was 20-30 min. The frequency of acupuncture was usually 1 time/day; the length of the treatment course was determined according to practitioners' experience. Conclusion: Throughout the time-effect studies of acupuncture intervention in experimental rats/mice, conclusions are inconsistent, especially the lack of quantitative research on acupuncture operation time, acupuncture frequency, acupuncture treatment duration, and optimal stimulation amount. Future research should explore and determine the best time-quantity parameters that affect the effectiveness of acupuncture intervention, which is the key and goal of the acupuncture time-effect research. Independent intervention-time experiments throughout the entire course of a single disease (dominant disease) need to be done to guide clinical and disciplinary development.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on mechanical hyperalgesia threshold (MHTs) and thermal hyperalgesia threshold (THTs) and content of proteinase-activated receptors 2 (PAR 2) in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in rats with inflammatory pain, so as to explore its peripheral mechanism underlying improvement of inflammatory pain. METHODS: The present study contains two parts. 1) In the first part, 27 male SD rats were randomized into sham hyperalgesic priming (sham-HP) group and real hyperalgesic priming (HP) group (n＝5 in the sham-HP group and n＝6 in the HP group for the test of MHTs, n＝8 in the two groups for the test of THTs). The sham-HP model was established by subcutaneous injection of normal saline into the left plantar part of the hind-paw, and the HP model established by subcutaneous injection of 1% carragenan (the first injection) into the same left hind paw, followed by injection of PGE2 (100 ng/25 μL, the second injection) into the dorsum pedis of the same hind paw 7 days after the first injection. The ipsilateral paw withdrawal latencies (MHTs and THTs) were detected before and 5 h, 3 d and 6 d after the first injection, 0.5, 4 and 24 h after the second injection. 2) In the second part, 64 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-HP, HP, sham-EA and EA groups (n＝16 in each group). The sham-HP and HP models were made in the same way as the first part. Both"Zusanli"(ST 36)and "Kunlun"(BL 60) were punctured with filiform needles in the sham-EA group and also stimulated with EA: 2 Hz/100 Hz, 0.5－1.5 mA (0.5 mA increase per 10 min) for 30 min in the EA group, 1 time/d for 7 d. Both ipsilateral MHTs and THTs were observed at the same time-points of the first part and the PAR 2 protein content in the L 4－L 6 DRGs was assayed by ELISA 24 h after the second injection. RESULTS: 1) In the first part of the study, compared with the sham-HP group, the MHTs at 5 h and 3 d, and THT at 5 h after the first injection, and MHTs, and THTs at 4 and 24 h after the se-cond injection were significantly decreased in the HP group (P<0.01, P<0.05). 2) In the second part of the study, compared with the HP group, the MHTs at 4 and 24 h after the second injection and the THTs at 3 d after the first injection, 4 and 24 h after the second injection were significantly up-regulated in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of PAR 2 in the DRGs (L 4－L 6) was significantly higher in the HP group than in the sham-HP group (P<0.05), but considerably lower in the EA group than in the HP group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can suppress hyperalgesia priming in inflammatory pain rats which may be related to its effect in down-regulating PAR 2 level in the lumbar DRGs.