Objective To assess the influencing factors of the progression of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Methods From January 2009 to December 2014, a total of data 279 consecutive patients first assessed by CDFI as moderate stenosis of carotid atherosclerosis (stenosis rate 50 -69%)and regularly reexamined with CDFI at 12,24 and 36 months after initial examination were enrolled retrospectively. The residual diameter of vascular lesions and the changes of hemodynamic parameters were documented,and they were divided into either a progression group (n = 40)or a non-progression group (n = 239,and the non-progression group was divided into steady group[n = 210]and improved group [n = 29])according to whether the degree of stenosis progressed into severe stenosis (stenosis rate 70 -99%)or occlusion. The effects of the risk factors for common cerebrovascular disease and taking lipid lowering drugs (atorvastatin 20 mg/ d)on stenosis progression were compared in patients between the 2 groups. There were significant differences in hypertension,smoking and the regular use of atorvastatin . The effects of those factors on the progression of carotid stenosis were compared further through Logistic regression analysis. Results The residual vascular diameters of stenosis at 24,and 36 months were reduced obviously in the progression group compared with those of the non-progression group. There was significant difference (all P < 0. 05),and both the stenotic sites and distal peak systolic flow velocity ratio were significantly higher than those of the steady group and improved group (all P < 0. 05). Among the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease,hypertension (OR,2. 686,95% CI 1. 120 -6. 442,P = 0. 027)and smoking (OR,2. 265,95% CI 1. 081 -4. 746,P = 0. 030)were the major risk factors for affecting the progression of carotid stenosis. Regularly taking atorvastatin was a protective factor of delaying the progression of carotid stenosis (OR,0. 383,95% CI 0. 178 -0. 827,P = 0. 015). Conclusions CDFI may objectively evaluate the progression of carotid stenosis. Smoking and hypertension are the independent risk factors for affecting the progression of carotid stenosis,and regularly taking atorvastatin contributes to delay the progression of carotid stenosis.

Objective To discuss the application value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 186 patients who were diagnosed as colorectal cancer by 18F-FDG PET/CT. We classifed all cases according PET/CT imaging into position group and type group,and calculated SUV (maximum standard uptake value) of tumor tissue, and compared with normal tissue. Results There were 112 cases of rectal cancer,27 cases of carcinoma of sigmoid, 17 cases of carcinoma of cecum,16 cases of ascending colon carcinoma,14 cases of carcinoma of descending colon according to positions via PET/CT. There were 68 cases of protrude type,57 cases of ulcerative type,34 cases of infiltrating type,27 cases of colloid adenoma according types via PET/CT. The SUV of tumor tissue was higher than normal value,the difference had statistical significance. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT has high application value in colorectal cancer diagnosis, positions and types.

This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect and mechanisms of compound reserpine and triamterene tablets (CRTTs) and its component triamterene on isolated rat thoracic aorta rings. Isolated rat thoracic aorta rings pre-contracted by high potassium or norepinephrine (NE) were used to evaluate the vasodilatory effect of CRTTs and its component triamterene. The mechanisms concerning endothelium, potassium channels and calcium channels were studied through the interventions of several tool drugs. Animal welfare and experimental procedures followed the requirements of the Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. The results showed that both CRTTs and triamterene had potent relaxant effect on KCl and NE pre-contracted vessels. Triamterene showed partial endothelium dependency, and N-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) could influence the relaxant effect, which may be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels. Meanwhile, CRTTs could inhibit intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx. Overall, CRTTs and its component triamterene have vasorelaxant effects on vessels in vitro, and the vasorelaxant effect of CRTTs may be related to intracellular Ca²⁺ release and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, while this effect of triamterene may depend on vascular endothelial function and may also be related to the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels.

BackgroundDry eye is a multi-factorial-induced tear film and ocular surface disorder.Immunoinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of dry eye.As inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play an anti-inflammatory and anti-hypersensitivity role,and it can be a potential treatment for dry eyes.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (0.1％topical pranoprofen) on moderate to severe dry eyes and its mechanism.MethodsThis was a small sample of randomized controlled clinical trial.Thirty right eyes of 30 patients with moderate to severe dry eyes were included in the study according to the diagnosis criteria and randomized into two groups.The patients of the trial group received topical administration of 0.1％ pranoprofen plus 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate,and those of the control group received the topical 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate only.Ocular surface inflammation index scores (OSDI) and ocular surface fluorescine staining (OSS) scores were measured under the slit lamp,and tear film break-up time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test values were evaluated.The expression of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and CD11b in conjunctiva epithelial cells were detected by impression cytology and flow cytometry (FCM).All the indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Informed consent was obtained from all patients.ResultsThere were no significant differences in terms of age and gender and their baseline values between the trial group and control group (t=0.412,P=0.684;x2=0.240,P=0.624),and so were all the indexes (P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the OSDI,OSS scores and cells positive for HLA-DR were lowered but the BUT was delayed in the trial group on day 15 ( t=2.43,P=0.03;t=2.83,P=0.01;t=3.29,P=0.00;t=3.23,P=0.00 ).No significant differences were found in the Schirmer Ⅰ test value and CD11b expression between these two groups (t=0.17,P=0.87;t=0.28,P=0.79).The OSDI,OSS scores and BUT were significantly improved,and the number of cells positive for HLA-DR were reduced 15 days after administration of drugs in comparison with before treatment in the trial group ( t =12.30,10.70,6.10,7.92,P =0.00 ).However,there were no comparable alteration seen in these indexes before and after the usage of drugs in the control group ( P＞0.05).Positive correlations were found in HLADR expression with OSDI and OSS ( r =0.601,P =0.018 ; r =0.586,P =0.022 ) and a negative correlation in HLADR expression with BUT (r=-0.697,P=0.004) on day 15 in the trial group.ConclusionsTopical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen is beneficial for remitting the ocular signs and symptoms in moderate to severe dry eyes.This study illustrates that topical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory markers in conjunctival epithelial cells.

Objective To compare three different internal fixations using dual plates in treatment of type C distal humerus fractures.Methods A total of 59 patients with type C distal humerus fractures fixed with dual plates between January 2004 and December 2008 were enrolled in the study,including 34 patients managed by perpendicular dual plate internal fixation (Group A),14 patients by dorsal dual plate internal fixation (Group B),and 11 patients by parallel dual plate internal fixation (Group C).Functional outcomes of injured elbow joints were assessed using Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).Fisher' s exact probability,chi-square test and variance analysis were used to compare the perioperative variables among groups.Results The patients were followed up for average 28 months (range,12-55 months),which showed that all fractures were smoothly healed with satisfactory curative effects in each group.There were no significant differences with respect to functional outcomes among three groups.The patients with surgery difficulty in Group C were more than those in other two groups.Besides,an additional intercondylar screw was always required in Groups A and B,but rarely in Group C.Conclusions All internal fixations with three dual plates are effective in management of type C distal humeral fractures.The location of plates is determined by experiences of orthopedic surgeons and specific fracture type.

HEV is a positive strand RNA virus containing 3 open reading frames(ORFs), while the function of its binding protein pORF3 is poorly understood. In our study, the interactive protein of the pORF3 from human liver cDNA library was screened by the SOS recruitment system, and the construction of the pSOS bait-ORF3 plasmid was identified. The expression of the pORF3 was analyzed by Western blotting, and the detection result of the self activation of bait protein was obtained as expected. Totally, 8 putative interacting proteins had been successively screened. Some of these cellular binding proteins of pORF3, especially the important immunological pathway kinase p110δ, may advance our understanding of the role in ORF3 protein of HEV, and the possible implications of these candidate proteins for the further research are discussed.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of liver (PEComa),and to improve the diagnostic level of the disease. Methods A retrospective analysis of imaging manifestations was performed on 11 cases of hepatic hemangioma confirmed by surgery and pathology. All patients underwent CT and MRI examination before PET/CT examination ,then received operation. Results Eleven cases were solitary hepatic lesions ,10 of which were located in the right lobe of the liver ,and 1 in the left. The lesions were round or quasi-circular and the diameter ranged from about 13.5cm to about 1.8 cm,with an average of 5.7 cm. CT plain scanning showed that the liver was slightly lower density ,with clear boundary. The smaller lesions were homogeneous density,while the larger ones were not,and the lower density area was visible. Enhancement of peripheral lesions in the arterial phase was enhanced. The lesions in the portal vein were not uniformly enhanced , and visible separation was found in large lesions. In the delay phase ,the lesions were significantly decreased or slightly lower. MRI plain scan showed the lesion T1WI showed moderate signal or slightly low signal ,and large lesion signal was not uniform,and T2WI lesions showed slightly high signal while DWI lesions high signal and the enhanced features were similar to those of CT. PET/CT examination showed that visible radioactive uptake of abnormal concentration or uneven concentration were found in lesions with diameter larger than 3.0 cm,and the maximum SUV value ranged from 12.2 to 3.6,with an average value of 5.7. Lesions with diameter less than 3.0 cm showed a slight concentration of radioactive uptake and the highest SUV value was 4.7,with an average value of 2.9. The only 11.8 cm lesion showed no significant radioactivity ,which was as the same as that of normal liver tissue. Delayed PET/CT imaging(1 hour)showed that SUV values of all lesions were decreased in varying degrees. Conclusion PET/CT imaging of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of liver has its characteristics. The combina-tion of PET/CT imaging and routine imaging examination will benefit the improvement of diagnosis level obviously.

Neurotrophins promote and modulate the repair and regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) on the levels of synapses, neurites and neural cells, and even of the auxiliary structures of CNS. As to immune molecules, recent studies denied the classical doctrine that CNS is an immune privilege organ. In the last decade, it is found that immune responses can be beneficial for CNS repair. What are more, some macromolecules that were previously thought to be the members of the family of immune system play essential roles in the development and regeneration of the CNS. Therefore, the authors postulate that there are crosstalks between the neurotrophins and the immune molecules in the CNS.

Anemia ; etiology ; Erythema ; etiology ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Infant

This study is to investigate the effect of total flavonoids of Uygur medicine bugloss (BTF) on rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to explore the mechanisms by which it acts. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in rats was occluded for 30 min followed by 4 h reperfusion. Meanwhile, BTF dissolved in saline was administered intraperitoneally at dosage of 10, 30 and 50 mg x kg(-1). Electrocardiograph, infarction index, serum myocardial enzymes and heart function were determined to evaluate the effect of BTF. Some other observations were carried out to explore whether inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms underlying BTF. Our results showed that in ischemia/reperfusion injured rats BTF could dose-dependently reduce myocardial infarction index and myocardial enzyme leakage, and enhance heart function, indicating that it possesses significant cardio protection. ELISA analysis showed that BTF could decrease the content of myocardial inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Western-blotting confirmed that BTF could increase the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reduce the expression of proapoptosis protein Bax. Further more, the phosphorylation level of PI3K and Akt was upregulated by BTF treatment. BTF can protect rat against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Anti-inflammation and inhibition of apoptosis through upregulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway may contribute to the protective effect of BTF.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Myocardium ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Protective Agents ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein