OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Xuezhikang on serum MCP-1 and endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with chronic heart failure but with normal cholesterol level. METHODS:Patients with chronic heart failure (NYHAⅡ-Ⅳ) were randomly allocated into two groups(n=24 each). Both groups received routine treatment in accordance with the guide of CHF treatment,additionally,the treatment group received Xuezhikang 0.6 g bid for 8 weeks. Serum levels of MCP-1 before and after treatment were measured by ELISA and endothelial function of brachial artery was detected by ultrasonography. RESULTS:In Xuezhikang-treated group compared with the control group,serum level of MCP-1 decreased significantly(P

Objective A study was performed to better define the teaching outcome of computers in teaching medical imaging. Methods 150 4rd-year students were randomly assigned to four groups and experimental group exposed to 20 radiology cases as well as to a voluntary weekly radiology lecture. Group A used computer-based cases with interactive elements; group B used computer-based cases without interactive elements; group C used paper-based cases with interactive elements; and group D was not exposed to the cases and served as a control group. Results On a multiple-choice question test,groups A,B,and C showed significant improvemen(t+10.6%,+15.7%,+13.5%,respectively),whereas group D did not(+2.7%). On an image interpretation test,group A and group B showed the most improvement (+15.8%,P

Fall is one of major causes of disability, reduced mobility, shortness of life span and increased medical costs in the elderly.There are multiple risk factors for falls in the elderly, but they can be preventable and controlled.This article reviews the evidences regarding the clinical effectiveness, practicalness and security of these fall risk assessment methods and measures of interventions by evidence-based medicine in the elderly and analyzes their research directions.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis,osteopenia,fall and brittle fracture and their associated factors in men aged 80 years and over.Methods In a prospective study,184 study subjects with good self-care ability aged 80 years and over were enrolled.The questionnaire included living habits,falls,comorbidities,related symptoms and medicines.The bone mineral density,hand-grip strength,gait speed,timed up and go test(TUG),chair rising test(CRT),bone turnover markers and related hormones were measured.Binary Logistic regression model was used to analyze associated factors for osteoporosis,osteopenia,fall and brittle fracture.Results The prevalence of osteoporosis (OP)and osteopenia(OPA) were 12.5 ％ (23/184) and 45.1％ (83/184) respectively in this study.The height,weight and body mass index were lower,and serum levels of procollagen type 1 N terminal propeptide(P1NP)and C-telopeptides of type 1 collagen(s-CTx)were higher in osteoporosis group than in normal bone mass(NBM) group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The estradiol levels were lower in OP and OPA group than in NBM group(P＜ 0.05).The risk factors for OP and OPA included smoking(OR =3.607,P＜0.05),decreased body weight (OR=0.823,P ＜ 0.05) and elevated S-CTx level (OR =12.427,P ＜ 0.01).55.4％ (102/184) of study subjects had fall history after 80-year old.The prevalence of fragile fracture was 17.4％ (4/23),18.1 ％ (15/ 83)and 3.8％(3/78)in OP,OPA and NBM groups respectively,with total prevalence of 12.0％ (22/184).The risk factors for fragile fracture were a decreased total hip BMD(OR 0.017,P＜0.05)and fall history after 80-year-old(OR 13.126,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Based on associated factors of osteoporosis,osteopenia,falls and fragile fracture in male aged 80 years and over,the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis may need a comprehensive geriatric intervention including lifestyle adjustment,fall prevention and pharmacologic treatments.

Adult ; Arsenic Poisoning ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organotin Compounds ; poisoning ; Water Pollution ; Young Adult

Objective To study the interventional effects of Candesartan Cilexetil on vascular endothelial function and expres-sions of ERK/CREB signaling pathway in rats with acute myocardial infarction.Methods 30 rats were randomized into CAN group,AMI group and Sham group.Two weeks after the treatment rats were sacrificed and blood pressure,levels of blood AngⅡ, NO and NOS,endothelial vasomotor effects of isolated thoracic aorta strips,myocardial infarctual area and the expressions of ERK mRNA and CREB mRNA in infarctual myocardium were explored.Results Blood AngⅡ levels were distinctly higher in AMI group when compared with the Sham group,while the NO and NOS level were much lower.accompanied with EDDs decreased seri-ously,and higher mRNA expressions of ERK1 and CREB in infarctual myocardium.All of the above differences were significant. After the treatment of Candesartan Cilexetil,levels of serum NO and activities of NOS were obviously higher and almost reached the similar levels to those in Sham group,additionally endothelium-dependent diastole in isolated aortic strips improved greatly.Mean-while Candesartan Cilexetil can not only increase the plasma AngⅡ,but also decrease the size of myocardial infarction and the mR-NA expressions of ERK1 and CREB in infarctual myocardium significantly.However,blood pressure in all groups was not affected. Conclusion Candesartan Cilexetil can greatly improve the disordered endothelial function developing post-AMI,decrease the size of myocardial infarction and down-regulate the mRNA expressions of ERK and CREB in myocardium of infarctual zone.And all of the above protective effects of Candesartan Cilexetil were independent on blood pressure lowering.

OBJECTIVE:Taking metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets as an example,to explore the value of speckle tracking imaging in therapeutic efficacy evaluation of CHF drugs. METHODS:68 CHF patients who had never underwent regular treatment were given Metoprolol succinate sustained-release tablets and anti-heart failure agents for 3 months. NYHA classification, resting heart rate(RHR),6 min walk distance(6MWD)and conventional echocardiographic measurements were tested before and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Dynamic image were collected in the apical 2-chamber view,apical 4-chamber view and left ven-tricular long axis plane for speckle tracking imaging offline analysis. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) were measured. After 3 months of treatment,CHF patients were divided into standard group(group A,RHR 55-60 times/min)and non-standard group (group B,RHR>60 times/min) according to resting heart rate. The improvement of above indicators were com-pared between 2 groups,and that of LVGLS was also compared. RESULTS:After 1 month of treatment,RHR,LVEDd,LVEF and LVGLS of group A were improved significantly,compared with group B,with statistical significance (P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment,there was statistical significance in above indicators between 2 groups(P<0.05). In group A,RHR,6MWD and LVGLS improved significantly after 1 month of treatment,there was statistical significance,compared with before treatment (P<0.05);there was statistical significance in above indicators after 3 months of treatment,compared with before treatment and after 1 month of treatment (P<0.05). In group B,RHR and 6MWD improved significantly after one month of treatment;there was statistical significance,compared with before treatment(P<0.05);there was statistical significance in significant improvement of each indicator between after 3 months of treatment and before treatment (P<0.05);only there were statistical significance in RHR and NYHA grading,compared with after one month of treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Speckle tracking imaging can early reflect the left ventricular function improvement of CHF patients after anti-heart failure treatment,especially in patients with RHR control standard earlier and more significant. Speckle tracking had good clinical application value in the follow-up treatment of heart failure as routine evaluation index.

AIM:To report the safty and efficiency of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with ME due to BRVO who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (2.5g/0.1L) were retrospectively studied. Patients underwent complete ophthalmoscopic examination, including Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and/or flurescence angiographic testing at baseline and follow-up visits.RESULTS: There were 32 eyes of 32 consecutive patients who received at least one intravitreal bevacizumab injections (range from 1 to 3). The mean length of follow-up was 4.7 (range from 3 to 8) months. The mean visual acuity improved from 20/200- at baseline to 20/100- at 1 month and 20/100+ at 3 months and last follow-up (P＜0.01). The mean central 1mm macular thickness was 483μm at baseline and decreased to 275, 314,and 301μm at 1 month,3 months, and last follow-up (P＜0.01)respectively.No adverse side effects were observed following injections in any eyes.CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) showed a marked decrease in ME secondary to BRVO, improvement in visual acuity and lack of adverse side effects.

Objective To learn the control status of iodine deficiency disorders in Baoji City of Shaanxi Province.Methods From 2009 to 2011,according to the National Iodized Salt Monitoring Program,the iodized salt was monitored,and thyroid was examined in 12 counties(areas) of Baoji City.According to rural and urban area stratification,60 children aged 8 to 10 were selected in each county(district),and their urine samples were collected for determination of iodine content.In 2011,per capita daily salt intake was surveyed by the three weighing method at children's home whose urine was collected.Chencang Area,Fufeng County and Taibai County,representatives of Baoji City different geomorphic features were selected for investigation of water iodine,and urinary iodine of pregnant and lactating women,and 15 people were selected in each county (district).Results From 2009-2011,in the 12 counties(areas) in Baoji City,the coverage rate of iodized salt was all 100.00％(3468/3468); the qualified rate of iodized salt and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt were all ＞ 99.00％.Children's goiter rate was 3.41％(87/2548),3.06％(77/2520) and 3.33％(84/2520),and they were all less than that of the national standard (＜ 5％).Medians of urinary iodine of 8-10 years old children were 368.20,293.80 and 332.50 μg/L,respectively,and the ratios of urine iodine ≥300 μg/L were accounted for 66.42％ (797/1200),48.05％(692/1440) and 56.67％(816/1440),respectively.Median urinary iodine of pregnant women was 301.81 μg/L and lactating women was 329.79 μg/L.A total of 1116 households were investigated,the median of per capita daily salt intake was 8.9 g.Eighteen water samples were collected,range of water iodine value were 0.60-10.25 μg/L.Conclusions Iodine nutrition in general population of Baoji City is exceeded the optimum level,and the current iodized salt concentration has some down space,but fully consideration should be taken on iodine needs in different iodine deficiency areas and among different groups of people.

Objective To study the effect of glucocorticoid on serum interleukin(IL)-1,IL-6,transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-?) in children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS).Methods The levels of cytokines on serum were compared in 3 different patho-type,and IL-1,IL-6,TGF-?_1 and TNF-? in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 25 children with PNS before and after treatment with glucocorticoids.Results Significant difference of IL-1,IL-6,TGF-?_1 and TNF-? were found between the two group before and after the treatment(P0.05).The level of TGF-?_1 in MCD was lo-wer than that in MsPNG,FSGS before and after the treatment(P0.05),and the level of it in FSGS was higher than that in MsPNG after the treatment(P