OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristic of colonic transmission in functional constipation (FC) and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Sini Powder (SP) on it.

METHODSThe colonic transmission time (CTT) of 36 patients with FC (the FC group) and 22 healthy subjects (control group) was measured through colonic transmission test, and CTT of entire colon and that of various subsections was calculated with Hinton method and Arhan method respectively. After then, the FC group was treated with SP for 7 days, and CTT was detected again after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, body mass index (BMI) was higher, CTT of entire colon, left half colonic section, and sigmoid-rectal section were longer in the FC group than those in the control group (P < 0.05), no statistical difference in CTT of right half colon was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). After FC patients being treated with SP, their CTT of whole colon, left half colonic section and sigmoid-rectal section were significantly shortened (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFC patients were characterized by increased BMI and CTT prolonged and unevenly distributed in subsections, especially in the left half colon, sigmoid and rectum; SP could shorten the CTT in FC patients.

Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Colon ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Colon, Sigmoid ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the hemodynamic changes in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis pre- and post-stenting by transcranial color-coded and pulsed-Doppler sonography.Methods Thirty patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis were included.Two-dimensional,color-coded and pulsed-Doppler sonography were used to monitor the morphologic and hemodynamic changes of the MCA before,in the middle of,and after the endovascular stenting operation.All patients were verified by digital substract angiography.Results The hyper-echoic stent grafts and also the size and location of the stent were clearly shown by two-dimensional ultrasonography in 28 patients.The systolic,diastolic and the timeaveraged maximal flow velocities significantly decreased both instantly and 3 - 7 d after the stenting.Specifically,the systolic peak flow velocity of the MCA dramatically decreased immediately after the stenting [(151.43 ± 25.14) cm/s vs (286.13 ± 57.38)cm/s,P ＜0.05],and showed a further decrease after 3 - 7 d [(108.80 ± 9.95) cm/s vs (151.43 ± 25.14) cm/s,P ＜0.05].Conclusions Transcranial color-coded and pulsed-Doppler sonography could be used to evaluate the hemodynamic changes after MCA stenting,and could be considered as the first choice of method for evaluating the therapeutic outcome of stenting.

Objective To evaluate the short term results of endovascular laser for the treatment (ELVT) of great saphenous varicosity. Methods Twenty one cases (a total of 27 lower extremities) were enrolled. Treatment included EL combined with ligation and resection of communicating branches. One patient underwent high ligation and resection of the great saphenous vein for the purpose of pathology after ELVT treatment. Result Twenty patients were followed-up for a period of 2～6 months. Color Duplex ultrosonography was conducted 2 weeks,4 weeks,and 6 mos,respectively. Thrombotic obliteration was found in all cases. Pathology study showed perforation of the vein with intimal injury and thrombosis. Conclusion The short term efficacy of EL treatment is definite with insignificant side-effect,and quick patient recovery. The mechanism is related to direct thermal injury of laser to the venous intima resulting in thrombotic obliteration.

Objective To evaluate expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and to identify its initiation in the oxidative vascular injury. Methods This study included 22 AAA patients and 10 cadaveric normal abdominal aorta. In situ hybridization and immunofluorenscent staining were used to localize iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. Double staining with a combination of in situ hybridization and immunofluorenscent staining was used to simultaneously demonstrate iNOS mRNA expression and its cellular localization. The presence of end-product of oxidative injury induced by iNOS was indirectly assessed with immunofluorenscent staining by anti-nitrotyrosine antibody, its cellular localization were assessed by double immunofluorenscent staining. Results In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of iNOS in media and adventitia of AAA in all 22 patients. Specific cell markers identified iNOS mRNA-positive cells were T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. Positive immunostaining for nitrotyrosine was present in macrophages and smooth muscle cells. Normal abdominal aorta demonstrated virtually no iNOS or nitrotyrosine expression. Conclusion Stimulated expression of iNOS is associated with degeneration of AAA in human beings leading to oxidative tissue and cellular injury in AAA.

Plasmablastic myeloma is a rare pathological classification of multiple myeloma. This condition must be differentially diag-nosed because of lack of a distinctive phenotype. Involvement of the central nervous system is a rare complication of multiple myelo-ma. The choice of treatment is important for plasmablastic myeloma. Thus, this article presents a rare case of plasmablastic myeloma with multiple cranial nerve involvement. We clarify the diagnosis through the multidisciplinary team and select the optimal therapy for the patient.

Objective　To explore the role of acute infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) in respiratory diseases. Methods　Microimmunofluorescence test was used to detect IgG antibodies for Cpn in serum obtained from 93 inpatients and PCR was used to test Cpn in detection of Cpn DNA in throat specimens from 55 of the 99 patients. Results　Acute Cpn infection was diagnosed in 35.5% of the respiratory diseases. Antibodies for Cpn (titer of ≥512) were present in 47.6% of the pneumonia group, which may suggest that during 1998 to 1999, Cpn caused an epidemic in Beijing. They were also present in 50% of asthma group, 50.0% of pulmonary heart disease group and 26.3% of lung cancer group. Only five patients (9.1%) were positive by PCR. There exists discrepancy between serological and PCR results. Conclusion　Detection of IgG antibodies for Cpn conduces to diagnosis of acute Cpn infection and give advice for appropriate therapy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation on the transdifferentiation and secretion of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) induced by high glucose in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

METHODSHuman kidney cells (HKC) were cultured and then divided into four groups: low glucose (LG) group, high glucose (HG) group, high mannitol (LG + M) group, and HG + AG490 group. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of tryosine phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 ( p-JAK2). The protein expressions of STAT1, STAT3, p-STAT1, and p-STAT3 and the expressions of alpha-SMA and E-Cadherin were observed by Western blot. The contents of TGF-B1, fibronectin and type I collagen in the supernatants of the cultured HKC were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was measured by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with LG group, the expressions of JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3, and TGF-beta1, mRNA were significantly increased in HG group from 6 to 72 hours. Meanwhile, the contents of TGF-beta1 and collagen I in the supernatants and the expression of alpha-SMA increased and the expression of E-Cadherin decreased. The expressions of JAK2, p-STAT1, p-STAT3, and TGF-beta mRNA as well as the levels of TGF-beta1 and collagen I in the supernatant s in HG + AG490 group were significantly lower than in the HG group. The expressions of alpha-SMA and E-Cadherin were also decreased in HG + AG490 group.

CONCLUSIONActivation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway may be involved in the high glucose-induced transdifferentiation and overproduction of TGF-beta1, and ECM proteins in HKCs.

Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Janus Kinases ; physiology ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; metabolism ; STAT Transcription Factors ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; secretion ; Urothelium ; cytology ; metabolism

Objective To examine the effect of posterior reduction in atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) associated with basilar invagination(BI) using Xuanwu occipital?cervical fusion system in single stage. Methods Thirty?seven AAD accompanied with BI cases treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical Universiy and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospective analyzed. There were 15 males and 22 females with age of (42.3 ± 12.3)years (range: 18-69 years). All the cases had congenital osseous abnormalities, such as assimilation of atlas and abnormal cervical fusion. Anterior tissue was released through posterior route followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital?cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including anterior atlantodental interval (ADI),the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line,clivus?canal angle(CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected. The preoperative and postoperative JOA score and radiological measurements were compared by paired t?test. Results The mean JOA score of the patients increased from 10.5 to 14.4 at the one?year follow?up(t=14.3,P=0.00).Complete reduction of AAD and BI was achieved in 34 patients.The mean clivus?canal angle improved from (118.0±6.5)degrees preoperative to (143.7±5.0)degrees postoperative(t=6.2,P=0.00).Shrinkage of the syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in 24 patients,and 6 months in 31 patients.Twenty?eight patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. All the patients achieved bone fusion 12 months after surgery. One?side vertebral artery occlusion was diagnosed in 1 case postoperatively for transient dizziness,and relieved in 2 weeks.Two patients developed moderate neck pain after surgery, and relieved in 1 month. No implant failure, spacer subsidence or infection was observed. Conclusions The treatment of AAD associated with BI using Xuanwu occipital?cervical fusion system from posterior approach in single stage is effective and safe. Cage implantation intraarticularly and fixation with cantilever technique achieve complete reduction in most cases.

Objective To examine the effect of posterior reduction in atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) associated with basilar invagination(BI) using Xuanwu occipital?cervical fusion system in single stage. Methods Thirty?seven AAD accompanied with BI cases treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical Universiy and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospective analyzed. There were 15 males and 22 females with age of (42.3 ± 12.3)years (range: 18-69 years). All the cases had congenital osseous abnormalities, such as assimilation of atlas and abnormal cervical fusion. Anterior tissue was released through posterior route followed by cage implantation into facet joint and occipital?cervical fixation with cantilever technique. The clinical results were evaluated using Japanese Orthopedic Association scale(JOA) and the main radiological measurements including anterior atlantodental interval (ADI),the distance of odontoid tip above Chamberlain line,clivus?canal angle(CCA) and the length of syrinx were collected. The preoperative and postoperative JOA score and radiological measurements were compared by paired t?test. Results The mean JOA score of the patients increased from 10.5 to 14.4 at the one?year follow?up(t=14.3,P=0.00).Complete reduction of AAD and BI was achieved in 34 patients.The mean clivus?canal angle improved from (118.0±6.5)degrees preoperative to (143.7±5.0)degrees postoperative(t=6.2,P=0.00).Shrinkage of the syrinx was observed 1 week after surgery in 24 patients,and 6 months in 31 patients.Twenty?eight patients achieved bone fusion 6 months after surgery. All the patients achieved bone fusion 12 months after surgery. One?side vertebral artery occlusion was diagnosed in 1 case postoperatively for transient dizziness,and relieved in 2 weeks.Two patients developed moderate neck pain after surgery, and relieved in 1 month. No implant failure, spacer subsidence or infection was observed. Conclusions The treatment of AAD associated with BI using Xuanwu occipital?cervical fusion system from posterior approach in single stage is effective and safe. Cage implantation intraarticularly and fixation with cantilever technique achieve complete reduction in most cases.

Acute-Phase Proteins ; physiology ; Carrier Proteins ; physiology ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; physiology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; physiology ; Receptors, Immunologic ; physiology ; Receptors, Scavenger ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors