Objective To explore the effect of different processing and drying methods of corn and hot pepper on fluorine content in coal-burning type of the endemic fluorosis areas, and to screen food processing and drying methods which meet the quality requirements of grain drying and able to effectively reduce the total fluoride intake of local population. Methods Farmers of endemic fluorosis area in Bijie, Guizhou province were divided into 3 groups: sun-baked drying group, stove drying group with air-tight cover and stove drying group with no cover, 10 households in each group. Corn and fresh hot pepper and samples dried for 2 weeks, or 1, 3, 6-month were collected, and water and fluoride content were detected, and the total daily fluoride intake were calculated in accordance with the "Determination of Water in Food" (GB/T 5009.3-2003) and "Determination of Fluorine in Foods"(GB/T 5009.18-2003). Results Fluoride content in fresh corn and dried for 2 weeks, or 1, 3, 6-month [of sunbaked drying group: (1.40 ± 0.16), (1.56 ± 0.14), (2.15 ± 0.47), (2.70 ± 0.64), (4.06 ± 1.75)mg/kg, stove drying group with air-tight cover: (1.41 ± 0.16), (2.39 ± 0.56), (4.60 ± 0.97), (8.46 ± 5.55), (11.36 ± 3.60)mg/kg,stove drying group with no cover: (1.40 ± 0.13), (4.69 ± 3.97), (4.47 ± 2.77), (9.65 ± 6.47), (26.12 ± 14.52)mg/kg] and pepper[sun-baked drying group: (5.41 ± 1.61), (16.60 ± 7.62), (32.60 ± 7.88), (50.26 ± 17.60),(240.20 ± 272.49)mg/kg, stove drying group with air-tight cover: (754 ± 2.95), (3238 ± 11.50), (119.18 ± 156.45),(224.00 ± 196.58), (495.70 ± 417.29)mg/kg, stove drying group with no cover: (4.82 ± 1.25), (44.30 ± 13.48),(122.89 ± 66.43), (334.23 ± 166.05), (531.01 ± 397.40)mg/kg] increased with elongation of drying time, and the group difference was significant(F = 44.77, 128.71, 126.87, 41.61, 53.63, 170.63, all P ＜ 0.05), with the largest rate of increase in stove drying group with no cover, and the lowest in sun-baked drying group;fluoride was significantly lower (t = 7.93,63.07,5.36,11.98,55.76,7.45, all P ＜ 0.05) after sample washing;total fluoride intake per person per day was 2.57 mg in local adult when ate washed and sun-baked corn, peppers, the total fluoride intake were 5.92, 8.14 mg when ate the food processed by other two drying methods and washed corn, peppers,respectively. Conclusions In the coal-burning type of fluorosis endemic area, should take appropriate health education measures, and instruct local residents to use sun bake their edible corn and pepper for human consumption, and cultivate a habit of washing corn and pepper before cooking, which can reduce the population total fluoride intake, and control endemic fluorosis.

Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of informant questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly(IQCODE) in Chinese elderly patients and to estimate the efficacy of IQCODE in the screening of patients with cognitive impairment.Methods Ninety three patients with cognitive impairment and 128 community-dwelling healthy elderly over 60 years old were assessed.Informants were interviewed with the short version of the IQCODE.Results The internal consistency coefficient of IQCODE was 0.83.The correlation coefficient of test-retest reliability was 0.86.The validity coefficient of IQCODE with mini-mental state examination and activities of daily living were-0.78 and 0.71 respectively.The scores of IQCODE of the patients varied with the degree of cognitive deficits,and the differences had statistical significance.But there was no significant difference among different types of senile dementia.The scores of IQCODE of the patients with cognitive impairment were closely correlated with the degree of cognitive deficits.Conclusions IQCODE is a reliable and effective measurement for the patients with cognitive impairment.It could discriminate the cognitive impairment patients from the normal cognitive ones,and is practical in screening.But it can not distinguish different kinds of dementia.

Objective To explore the mechanism of skeletal fluorosis via observation on the expression of bone γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the residents of coal-burning fluorosis regions, and to provide a basical data for further monitoring and evaluating the effects of fluoride-reducing projects. Methods Stratified sampling was applied, the 6 villages of fluorosis were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. The residents of villages underwent clinical examination of the skeletal fluorosis. And according to the degree of skeletal fluorosis, villages were divided into three groups, namely light, moderate and severe villages. Radio-Immunoassay and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to check the expression of BGP and OPG in the serum. Results The levels of serum BGP in the severe skeletal fluorosis cases[(6.78±4.43)μg/L] were significantly higher(P<0.05) than those in the normal, moderate and the severe groups [ (3.58±1.53), (3.44±2.66), (3.41±2.20)μg/L], respectively. The expression of OPG in the light, moderate and the severe groups [(1251.55±998.31), (1265.94±931.77), (1560.55±858.07)ng/L] were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the normal[(520.81±385.05)ng/L], respectively. The levels of BGP in mixed type[(6.09±2.62)μg/L] were much higher(P<0.05) than no mixed type[(3.97±1.53), (3.20±2.12)μg/L]. The levels of OPG in the osteosclerosis, osteoporesis and mixed type[(1321.63±1017.00), (1205.42±852.22), (1529.01±402.83)ng/L] were significantly higher(P<0.05) than those of the normal, respectively. The levels of OPG in the light villages [(452.06±338.10)ng/L] were significantly lower(P<0.05) than moderate and severe villages[(1266.30±899.14), (1851.80±956.08 )ng/L], respectively. The levels of OPG in the severe villages were significantly higher(P<0.05) than moderate villages. Conclusions It indicates that OPG can be used as an early indicator in coal-burning pollution endemic fluorosis results in biochemical changes in the composition of bone.

Objective To report the clinical characteristics of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE).Methods All 25 cases of definite PVE (Duke criteria) diagnosed at our hospital between January 1992 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 7 cases were pathologically confirmed and the others were clinically confirmed with either 2 major criteria or 1 major and ≥3 minor criteria. Their clinical characteristics, underlying heart diseases, previous heart operations, presenting manifestations, causative microbes, echocardiographic findings and prognosis, were studied. Results (1) Although most cases underwent valve transplantations for underlying heart diseases of rheumatic heart diseases and congenital heart diseases, 10 patients were complicated with infectious endocarditis (IE) prior to the operations, 4 of them were PVE. (2) Eleven of them developed PVE within 2 months postoperatively. Fever (100%),major vessel embolism (48%), and anemia (36%) were the most frequently manifestations. Fourteen cases (56%) had positive culture results with 15 causative pathogens, including 5 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS, 3 were methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, MRSCoN), 4 fungi, 2Enterococcus faecalis, 2 Burkholderia cepacia, 1 Stenotrophomonasmal-tophilia, and 1 Streptococcus.(3)Prosthetic valve vegetations, periannular leakage, regurgitation, were the main echocardiographic findings.Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed 13 PVE who had no positive findings on previous transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). (4) Eighteen PVE (72%) developed peri-annular complications (12 leakage, 3 dehiscence, 2 abscesses, 1 fistula), major vessel embolism, congestive heart failure (16%) were frequently observed, 9 of the 17 patients died in hospital, in spite of intensive managements.Conclusions PVE has a high mortality and is a severe complication for patients who underwent heart surgery. Its causative pathogen spectrum is quite different from that of native valve endocarditis. TTE is not sensitive for some PVE cases.

OBJECTIVETo study the influences of endocannabinoid-anandamide (AEA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of the colorectal cancer cell line (CaCo-2) and to elucidate the effects of CB1 and lipid rafts, and to further elucidate the molecular mechanism and the effect of AEA on the generation and development of colorectal cancer.

METHODSHuman colorectal cancer cell line CaCo-2 was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in 5% CO(2) atmosphere at 37°C. CaCo-2 cells were divided into different groups and treated with different concentrations of AEA, AEA + SR141716A, AEA + AM630 and AEA + methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD). MTT assay was used to determine the effects of AEA, its putative CB1, CB2 receptor antagonists (SR141716A and AM630) and MCD on the proliferation of CaCo-2 cells. Annexin V-PE/7AAD binding assay was used to detect apoptosis in the CaCo-2 cells. Western-blot was applied to check the expressions of CB1, CB2, p-AKT and caspase-3 proteins in different groups of CaCo-2 cells.

RESULTSAEA inhibited the proliferation of CaCo-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and the effect could be antagonized by SR141716A and MCD. The inhibiting rates were (21.52 ± 0.45)%, (42.16 ± 0.21)%, (73.64 ± 0.73)% and (83.28 ± 0.71)%, respectively, at different concentrations of AEA (5, 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L). The three groups (20 µmol/L AEA, 20 µmol/L AEA + 10 µmol/L SR141716A and 20 µmol/L AEA + 1 mmol/L MCD) showed different inhibiting rates [(73.64 ± 0.73)%, (16.15 ± 0.75)% and (12.58 ± 0.63)%], respectively. Annexin V-PE/7AAD binding assay showed that AEA induced apoptosis in the CaCo-2 cells and MCD could antagonize this effect. The apoptosis rates of the three groups (control, 20 µmol/L AEA and 20 µmol/L AEA + 1 mmol/L MCD) were (2.95 ± 0.73)%, (39.61 ± 0.73)% and (14.10 ± 0.64)%, respectively. The expressions of CB1, CB2, p-AKT and Caspase-3 proteins were all observed in the CaCo-2 cells. AEA inhibited p-AKT protein expression and induced caspase-3 protein expression. The two actions were also antagonized by MCD.

CONCLUSIONSAEA can strongly suppress the proliferation of colorectal cancer CaCo-2 cells via the CB1 receptor and membrane cholesterol-LRs and induce apoptosis via lipid rafts. Anandamide plays a very important role in the carcinogenesis and development of colorectal cancer. MCD is a critical member in this system.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arachidonic Acids ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endocannabinoids ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Membrane Microdomains ; metabolism ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Polyunsaturated Alkamides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the myocardial protective effect of Rhodiola on patients who received epidoxorubicin (EPI) treatment.

METHODSForty-two patients with myocardial damage who received 3 courses of EPI-contained chemotherapy were randomly and equally assigned to two groups, the Rhodiola treated group and the control group. After 1-month treatment, the changes in serum troponin I (cTnI) level, cardiac integral backscatter (IBS), and left ventricle ejective fraction (LVEF) in patients were observed and compared between groups.

RESULTSLevels of cTnI in the treated group and control group were (0.54 +/- 0.05) mg/L and (0.98 +/- 0.03) mg/L respectively, IBS were 55.23 +/- 5.72 scores and 61.23 +/- 5.96 scores, and LVEF (%) were 68 +/- 3 and 57 +/- 2 respectively, all showed significant differences between groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONRhodiola can improve cardiac function, and suppress the increase of serum cTnI level and IBS in patients who received EPI treatment.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Protective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Rhodiola ; chemistry ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Stroke Volume ; drug effects ; Troponin I ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study clinical outcomes of Chinese medidine fumigation and massage therapy for the treatment of knee stability and functional recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation,and to explore the effect on tendon-bone healing.

METHODSTotal 50 patients were divided into two groups: the control group (normal rehabilitation therapy group),the treatment group (Chinese medicine fumigation and manipulation group). There were 25 patients in the control group, including 16 males and 9 females, who were treated with isometric muscle training, with the gradually enlarging amplitude of flexion and progressive loading of bearing training for knee recovery. There were 25 patients in the treatment group, including 15 males and 10 females,who were treated with the conventional rehabilitation therapy combined with Chinese medicine fumigation and massage therapy. The Chinese herbs named as Haitongpi decoction was steamed by a special equipment to fumigate the knee after operation; Based on the biomechanical parameters of the ligament reconstruction, the massage therapy was designed to control the degree of the knee flexion and release the adhesion for early recovery of knee functions. The Lysholm knee function evaluation system was used, and MRI examination was performed to measure the change in width of ligament tunnel in femur and tibia to evaluate the safety and stability of the treatment.

RESULTSLysholm system showed that two groups both had improving results from the 1st month after operation to the 3rd month (treatment group, F=36.54, P<0.05; the control group, F=28.12, P<0.05), and the results of the treatment group was better than that of the control group at the observation point (the 1st month, t=0.105, P<0.05; the 3rd month, t=5.361, P<0.01). There was no difference between the two groups when evaluating the bone and tendon healing 3 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05), indicating that Chinese rehabilitation therapy was a safety treatment without the influence on the loosing of tendon.

CONCLUSIONChinese medicine fumigation and massage therapy can early improve the knee function after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation without the disturbance of the knee stability.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Case-Control Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Fumigation ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Massage ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recovery of Function

Objective To analyze the characteristic of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in elderly patients aged more than or equal to 80 years. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 41 patients aged more than or equal to 80 years with 47 lesions treated by ESD from September 2010 to January 2017. The diseased region, pathology and complications were evaluated. Results Of the 47 lesions, there have 3 esophageal lesions, 21 gastric lesions, 10 colonic lesions and 13 rectal lesions. For the pathology, there have 34 early cancer or precancerous lesion, 2 GIST, 1 neuroendocrine tumor and 10 other types of pathology. 1 cardia1 early cancer underwent additional laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. There have 7 complications, 4 post-ESD bleeding, 2 delirium and 1 pneumonia. Conclusion ESD for colorectal lesion is more frequently in elderly patients aged more than or equal to 80 years. Post-ESD bleeding is the main complication.

OBJECTIVETo explore the in vivo effects of myxoma virus (MV) on gliomas of rat model. Methods C6 glioma cells were implanted into the frontal lobe of SD rats using stereotactic methods to establish animal models of glioma.

METHODSC6 glioma cells were implanted into the frontal lobe of SD rats using stereotactic methods to establish animal models of glioma. Models were divided into 4 groups randomly after tumor growth was affirmed, and MV, 5-FU, MV + 5-FU, and denatured myxoma virus (DV) were implanted into the tumors using stereotactic methods, bodyweight, tumor size, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Akt of each model were observed.

RESULTSThe gliomas in all SD rats were established successfully. And tumor growth in MV, 5-FU, MV + 5-FU were significantly decreased as compared with DV group after injection, sizes of some tumors were lessened, and GFAP expression decreased in MV, 5-FU and MV +5-FU groups. The expression of PI3k, Akt and mTOR were decreased in MV and MV +5-FU groups.

CONCLUSIONC6 glioma SD rat models could be established successfully using stereotactic methods. MV may enhance biological activity of chemotherapeutic drugs on tumor cells of animal models in vivo by regulating some genes of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signal pathway.

Animals ; Brain Neoplasms ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Glioma ; therapy ; Male ; Myxoma virus ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To summarize 210 cases of lung cancer that underwent pneumonectomy,and to study the therapy value of pneumonectomy for lung cancer. METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 2004,210 patients (169 males and 41 females) with lung cancer underwent pneumonectomy in our hospital with the mean age of 54.77 years. Out of the 210 cases 144 had left pneumonectomy, and 66 had right pneumonectomy. Among them, 26 experienced intrapericardial pneumonectomy,1 inferior vena cava reconstruction, and 1 carina reconstruction. All bronchial stumps were closed by manual suture,and systemic node dissection was performed routinely. RESULTS: No one died during the operation, but 59 patients (28.10%) experienced postoperative complications and 9 patients (4.28%) died within 30 days of operation. After exclusion of postoperative deaths, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 66.21%,36.13% and 24.26%, respectively. Only 1 out of the 12 patients with small cell carcinoma survived more than 3 years. CONCLUSION Mortality and morbidity were high in pneumonectomy.If we carefully and properly select the patients, enhance postoperative monitoring and perioperative treatment, and combine with chemo-and/or radiotherapy,pneumonectomy will surely be effective for patients with lung cancer.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome