Objective: To examine whether TNF polymorphisms are associated with thymoma and thymoma with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: TNF-? and TNF-? genes were analyzed on 36 patients and healthy blood donors using PCR-RFLP. Results: No difference of gene or genotype frequency of TNF-? was higher in thymoma patients (P

Objective To compare knowledge about hypertension between elderly Chinese urban patients with preferences for either traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM).Methods Elderly (≥ 65 years old) patients with hypertension who prefer TCM treatment (n=112) or WM (n=126) were questioned about hypertension.Their answers were compared.Results Only 32.6% of participants correctly identified hypertension as a main risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke,22.3% of patients answered that the main purpose of hypertension control was preventing cardiovascular disease.Other major reasons for these patients to seek medical treatment for their hypertension included:persuasion by physicians or their family members (21.6%),alleviating symptoms such as headache and dizziness (16.8%),lowering blood pressure without knowing specific reason (12.4%).The predictors for poor knowledge of hypertension were similar irrespective of preference for WM or TCM treatment,and included those with lower levels of education and older age.Television and newspaper (46.8%) were the most frequent sources of hypertension information for both groups.Among those who preferred TCM treatment,TCM has fewer side effects than WM and TCM cures disease while WM only alleviates symptoms were common beliefs held.Conclusion This study shows that knowledge of hypertension is similar among Chinese urban patients with preferences for either WM or TCM treatment and that misunderstandings about hypertension are common among the elderly patients.In order to control hypertension effectively,public health education is necessary.This should target those with a lower level of education and older age.

Objective To evaluate the effects and security of PFNA and DHS in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures through meta analysis .Methods The randomized controlled trials(RCT) for comparing PFNA and DHS in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture were retrieved from MEDLINE ,EMbase ,Pubmed ,Cochrane library ,CBM ,CNKI ,VIP data‐bases by computer .The related orthopedic relevant documents and conference papers were collected by manual retrieval .The Rev‐Man5 .1 statistical software was used for conducting the meta analysis .Results Nineteen RCT were included ,involving 1 690 pa‐tients ,in which 871 cases were treated by using PFNA and 819 cases were treated by using DHS .Compared with DHS ,PFNA had the advantages of little trauma ,less blood loss ,short operation time ,short fracture healing time and postoperative bed time ,good hip function and low incidence of postoperative coxa vara and screw cutting ,but there were no statistical differences in the aspects of length of hospital stay ,fatality rate ,and incidences of fracture nonunion ,breakage of internal fixation ,femoral head necrosis ,short‐ening of the femoral neck ,femoral shaft fractures ,deep vein thrombosis ,urinary tract infection and other complications between the two groups(P>0 .05) .Conclusion The retrieved literatures show that PFNA internal fixation is superior to DHS internal fixation in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures .

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of anisodamine on the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in swine ventricular myocardium after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.Methods The experiment was conducted on healthy pigs, and they were randomly divided into three groups, namely sham group, epinephrine group (control group) and anisodamine group (experimental group, animals were resuscitated combined with injection of 0.4 mg/kg of anisodamine), with 5 pigs in each group. Model of ventricular fibrillation was reproduced by alternating current challenge, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed 8 minutes after cardiac arrest. Left ventricular myocardium was harvested at 24 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation. The expression and distribution of Cx43 were observed by immunofluorescence, Cx43 mRNA expression was assessed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expressions of Cx43 and phosphorylation of Cx43 (p-Cx43) were analyzed by Western Blot.Results The positive expression of Cx43 in ventricular muscle was distributed uniformly, mostly at the end-to-end linkage of myocardial cells, with a few side-to-side linkage in sham group. The positive expression of Cx43 in control group was significantly weaker than that in the sham group, and the signal intensity was significantly declined (4.35±2.10 vs. 10.02±3.66,P< 0.01). The positive expression of Cx43 at the end-to-end linkage and side-to-side linkage was irregular in experimental group, and the signal intensity was obviously higher than that in the control group (7.91±2.54 vs. 4.35±2.10,P< 0.05), but it was significantly weaker than that in the sham group (7.91±2.54 vs. 10.02±3.66,P< 0.05). For control group and experimental group, the Cx43 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly lower than those of the sham group [Cx43 mRNA (A value): 0.32±0.05, 0.32±0.03 vs. 0.48±0.07; Cx43 protein (A value): 0.43±0.03, 0.50±0.07 vs. 0.65±0.04, allP< 0.01], and there were no significant differences between experimental group and control group (allP> 0.05). The p-Cx43 protein expression of control group was significantly lower than that of the sham group (A value: 0.22±0.03 vs. 0.37±0.06,P< 0.01), and it was significantly higher in the experiment group than that in the control group (A value: 0.29±0.07 vs. 0.22±0.03, P< 0.01), but there was no significant difference with the sham group (P> 0.05). No significant difference in p-Cx43/Cx43 was found among sham, control, and experiment groups (0.57±0.09, 0.51±0.05, 0.58±0.06, all P> 0.05).ConclusionAnisodamine can improve the abnormal expression of Cx43 in ventricular muscle of pigs with cardiac arrest, which may be related to the protection effect of anisodamine on cardiac conduction.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of β-catenin and drug-resistance mechanism of choriocarcinoma according to the expression of β-catenin in JEG-3 cells (human choriocarcinoma cell line) and drug resistant JEG-3/VP16 cells.Methods The mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin were analyzed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blotting.Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of β-catenin-positive cells in the two choriocarcinoma cell lines.Results Both drug resistant choriocarcinoma cells and drag sensitive cells were found to express β-catenin; but the expression of β-catenin mRNA (1.43 ±0.24) and protein(1.49 ±0.17)in drug resistant choriocarcinoma cells was found much higher than that in drug sensitive cells(0.65 ±0.14,0.66 ±0.16,P ＜0.01).And according to detect by flow cytometry,we found the number of β-catenin-positive cells in JEG-3/VP16 cells [(40.13 ±5.17) ％] was much more than that in JEG-3 cells [(13.15 ± 1.48) ％,P ＜ 0.01].Conclusions β-catenin was highly expressed in the drug resistant choriocarcinoma cell line (JEG-3/VP16).It indicates β-catenin might be involved in the drug resistance mechanism of choriocareinoma.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique used in karyotype analysis of chorionic villi from missed abortion. Methods Feb 2008 to Oct 2008, 91 patients with missed abortion diagnosed by hormonal measurement, type B ultrasound and physical exam matched with 20 normal pregnant women undergoing artificial abortion were enrolled in this study. Chorionic villi was obtained by suction dilation and curettage in aseptic condition, then those villi was cultured and analyzed by traditional cytogenetic karyotyping method, in the mean time, the DNA extracted from villi was detected by MLPA. The results of chromosomal G-banding of chorionic villi were compared between two methods. Results The diagnostic concordance of MLPA and traditional karyotyping was observed in 92% (84/91) cases, there were 84 cases in the case group with diagnostic concordance by traditional karyotyping and MLPA except 7 cases of euploidy could not be detected by MLPA. The 84 cases included 40 normal karyotype,29 trisomy of euchromosome, 1 double trisomy of euchromosome, 10 monosomy X , 1 monosomy X combined with trisomy of euchromosome, 2 chimaera of X chromosome, 1 structural abnormity of euchromosome. Among 7 cases with discordance diagnosis, 2 cases with trisomy and 5 cases with tetrasomy of euchromosome were identified in traditional karyotyping, however, they were all diagnosed with normal disomy by MLPA. Of 20 villi from normal pregnancy, two methods got the consistent results. Conclusion The MLPA was rapid and efficacy method used for analyzing aneuploids in chorionic villi.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors on serum homocysteine level in healthy retired-elderly people in Tianjin,in order to provide theoretical basis and guidance for clinical intervention therapy.Methods A total of 184 participants meeting the standard of Chinese healthy elderly people (2013) were selected from 1247 retired-elderly people who took healthy physical examination in three grade Ⅲ-A hospitals in Tianjin from June to August in 2014.They were divided into two groups based on plasma Hcy level:hyper-homocystinemia group (≥15 μmol/L) and normal plasma Hcy level group (＜15μmol/L).The influencing factors on plasma Hcy level were analyzed by multiple stepwise regression and logistic regression analysis.Results The proportion of healthy retired-elderly people accounted for 14.76 ％,with men at 82.61％ and women at 17.39 ％,mean age (78.37±6.88) years.The Hcy level was higher in healthy males than in healthy females [(16.90± 6.86) μmol/L vs.(12.89 ± 5.97) μmol/L,P＜0.005].The proportion of people with hyper-homocystinemia accounted for 45.65％,and the mean Hcy concentration was (21.39±6.98) μmol/L.The age of people with hyper-homocystinemia was higher than that with normal Hcy [(80.58±6.09) years vs.(76.56±7.04) years,P＜0.005].There were no statistically significant differences in blood pressure,lipid and blood glucose levels and the proportion of patients with coronary heart disease,hypertension,type 2 diabetes mellitus,gout,periodontitis and other diseases between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the level of serum Hcy was positively correlated with serum uric acid levels (P=0.000).Multiple stepwise regression and logistic regression analysis showed that age,gender and serum uric acid level were risk factors for plasma Hcy level in healthy elderly people.Conclusions Age,gender and serum uric acid level are risk factors for serum Hey level in healthy elderly people.

When senescence induction is based on DNA damage, senescent cells display a unique phenotype, which has been termed “senescence-associated secretory phenotype”( SASP ) . SASP, including proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, matrix remodeling enzymes and other cytokines, may be an important driver of chronic inflammation and therefore may be part of a vicious cycle of inflammation, DNA damage and senescence. Senescence-associated secretory products released by such cells can affect the neighboring cells and further exacer-bate their regenerative capacity. SASP is associated with many chronic age-related diseases.

The article has reviewed theShengyang-Yiweidecoction for the disease of digestive system, such as diarrhea-predominant pattern irritable bowel syndrome(D-IBS), chronic gastritis, diabetic gastric paralysis (DGP), ulcerative colitis (UC) and chronic diarrhea. Recently,Shengyang-Yiwei decoction was also used in some other diseases, such as diseases of urinary system, diseases of nervous system, orthopedic diseases, gynecological diseases and so on. This review aimed to provide reference and evidence for the clinic application ofShengyang-Yiwei decoction.

Objective:To recognize the characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis patients complicated with sepsis and summarize the experience the treatment.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical data of 57 patients with necrotizing fasciitis complicated with sepsis admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July 2009 to December 2019 was analyzed by collecting such factors as gender, age, complications, infection sites, pathogens, surgery information, treatment options and outcome. The patients were divided into debridement group ( n = 14) and control group ( n = 43) according to whether the debridement was completed within 48 hours of admission, and the mortality during hospitalization between the two groups was compared. A telephone follow-up had been done to record the long-term outcome of these patients. Results:Among 57 patients with necrotizing fasciitis complicated with sepsis, there were 43 males and 14 females with the average age of (57.9±12.1) years old. Most of the underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus (70.17%), other diseases included hypertension (8.77%), tumor chemotherapy (7.02%), liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, 7.02%), coronary artery heart disease (3.51%), systemic lupus erythematosus (3.51%), etc. Most of the infection site was lower limbs (71.93%). There were 78 pathogens cultured in 57 patients, in which 52 were non-drug resistant bacteria (66.67%), and 26 were drug resistant bacteria (33.33%). There were 40 Gram positive (G +) bacteria (51.28%), 29 Gram negative (G -) bacteria (37.18%), 8 fungi (10.26%) and 1 mixed bacteria (1.28%). Finally, of 57 patients, 46 patients were cured, and 11 patients died with hospital mortality of 19.30%. Among 57 patients, the hospital mortality in the debridement group was significantly lower than that in the control group [0% (0/14) vs. 25.58% (11/43), P < 0.05]. Among the 46 cured patients, 11 had accepted amputations, accounting for 23.91%. In December 2020, 43 patients who were cured (3 patients were lost to follow-up) were followed up by telephone. Twenty-three patients were completely self-care, 9 patients were partly self-care, 8 patients were completely unable to take care of themselves, and 3 patients died. Conclusions:Necrotizing fasciitis with sepsis mostly occurs in people with weakened immunity, and has a high mortality and disability rate. Early identification and active surgical debridement may be the key to improve the treatment effect.