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.

Objective To explore the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells(RPMCs) and its mechanism.Methods Primary peritoneal mesothelial cells of SP rats were cultured in vitro. After synchronization for 24 h, RPMCs were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group A (control), Group B (TGF-β1, 10 μg/L). RPMCs were stimulated by 10 μg/L TGF-β1 for different time. The mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagenⅠwere measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The protein expression level of total RhoA was measured by Western blot. Active RhoA was extracted by Plasma Membrane Protein Extraction Kit, and assessed by Western blot. Results TGF-β1 down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin in RPMCs, and upregulated mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA and CollagenⅠ. TGF-β1 stimulation elicited a robust increase in RhoA activity in a time-dependent manner. RhoA activity peaked at 1 h.Conclusion RPMCs can be transdifferentiated into myofibroblast under the effect of TGF-(β1,)and the mechanism may be related to the activation of RhoA associated signal pathway.

Objective:To investigate the existence of side population cells with the potency of stem cells in human gallbladder carcinoma cell line GBC-SD and the differences in ABCG2,Oct-4 and CD34 expression among SP cells,non-SP cells and GBC-SD cells.Methods:SP and non-SP cells were sorted from GBC-SD cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS).The expression of ABCG2,Oct-4 and CD34 in SP cells,non-SP cells,and GBC-SD cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot,flow cytometry(FCM)and immunofluorescence chemistry.Results:SP cells with stem cell potency were isolated from GBC-SD cells with a proportion of(0.64±0.08)%.The metastatic ability of SP cells was obviously higher than that of non-SP cells and GBC-SD cells(P<0.05).The expression of ABCG2 was significantly higher in SP cells than in non-SP cells and GBC-SD cells[(89.56±3.86)%vs.(1.32±0.49)%and(12.37±1.61)%,P=0.001].The expression of Oct-4 in these cells was(94.87±1.40)%,(88.16±2.34)%and(90.17±1.61)%,respectively(P>0.05).CD34 was neady absent in these cells on protein level[(1.78±0.51)%vs.(0.63±0.21)%and(0.96±0.381)%,P>0.05)],but it was highly expressed in non-SP cells and GBC-SD cells and absent in SP cells off mRNA leve;.Conclusion:SP calls which hava the potency of stem cells,exist in human gallbladder carcinoma GBC-SD cell line and have the phenotype of ABCG2+Oct-4+CD34-.

In recent years,the research of non-contact biomedical monitoring has continuous development and progress.This review gives an overview of the research status of heart,lung and brain non-contact monitoring methods.The correlation techniques of capacitance electrocardiogram,magnetic induction,radar non-contact monitoring of heart and lung,and non-contact monitoring of brain are analyzed comprehensively.Capacitance electrocardiogram monitors the heart and lung activities useing effect of change in capacitance between the electrodes.Magnetic induction monitors the heart and lung activities useing the Maxwell principle,while radar monitoring the heart and lung activities uses the Doppler effects.Non-contact monitoring of brain adopts the magnetic induction tomography imaging technology.Then elaborate related research at home and abroad,and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of these monitoring methods on the basis of the analysis of monitoring principles.Finally foreground that may dominate this area of new equipment for heart,lung and brain non-contact monitoring in the future is expected.

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

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.