Objective To explore the multiple risk factors for family lifestyle of children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) in Shaanxi Province, China. children and their parents. The univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence of risk factors related to parents' lifestyle on CHDs. Results Several possible risk factors were found for CHDs, including fever (OR=4.465, P=0.017), pesticides contact (OR=2.234, P=0.083), passive smoking during pregnancy (OR=20.529, P=0.007) and father's smoking (OR=3.342, P=0.005); fever (OR=2.428, P=0.012) and passive smoking during pregnancy (OR=1.201, P=0.037) were also correlated with ventricular sepal defect (VSD). Conclusion Fever, pesticides contact and passive smoking are associated with CHDs during pregnancy. We should focus our attention on health care during pregnancy to avoid the above-mentioned risk factors and call on parents to hold on to a good healthy lifestyle.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Peitu Shengjin Recipe (PSR) on nutritional states and immune functions of stable phase chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

METHODSTotally 62 stable phase COPD patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (30 cases) and the control group (32 cases). All patients inhaled Seretide (50/500 µg), twice per day. Besides, patients in the treatment group additionally received PSR, one dose per day. After three months of treatment, the COPD assessment test (CAT) score, the index of nutritional states [including body mass index (BMI) , thickness of skin fold (TSF), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum albumin, serum prealbumin], and immune functions (including IgA, IgM, and IgG) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBy the end of the treatment, the CAT score decreased more obviously in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The improvement of BMI, TSF, MAMC, serum albumin, and serum prealbumin was better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). IgM and IgG also increased more in the treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in IgA between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAdditionally use of PSR could improve nutritional states and immune functions of stable phase COPD patients to some extent. Meanwhile, it also could improve their health related quality of life.

Body Mass Index ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Nutritional Status ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Quality of Life ; Serum Albumin

Cancer metastasis is the most dangerous stage of tumorigenesis and evolution, the primary cause of death in cancer patients. Clinically, more than 60% of cancer patients have found metastasis at the time of examination. Modern medicine has made significant progress on the mechanisms of cancer metastasis in recent years, from the simple "anatomy and machinery" theory forward to the "seed and soil" theory, then to the "microenvironmental" theory and the "cancer stem cell" theory. The emerging "cancer stem cell" theory successfully explains phenomenon such as tumor genetic heterogeneity, anoikis resistance, tumor dormancy, providing more new targets and ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer metastasis.
Animals ; Humans ; Medicine ; methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

Objective To study the Gadolinium-enhanced MRI and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics of the chondroid matrix-forming sarcomas.Methods Contrast-enhanced MRI and DWI were performed in 14 eases of chondroid matrix-forming sarcomas (10 chondrosarcomas,4 chondroblastic esteosarcomas) and 13 cases of other types of osteosarcomas.DWI was obtained with a single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence using a 1.5 T MR imager with two different b values of 0 and 700 s/mm2.The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained in GE Functiontool software.The contrast-enhancement pattern was evaluated and the ADC values of ehondroid matrix-forming sarcomas was compared with that of other types of asteosarcoma.Independent sample t-test was performed to evaluate the difference of ADC values between the group of chondroid matrix-forming sarcoma and the group of other types of osteosarcoma.In addition, nonparametrie test was used to assess the difference of ADC values between the chondrosareoma and the chondroblastic osteosarcoma.P value less than 0.05 was considered to represent a statistical significance.Results For 14 eases of ehondroid matrix-forming sarcomas, peripheral enhancement was found in all cases, septonodular enhancement was identified in 12 cases.While 13 eases of other types of osteosarcowas demonstrated heterogeneous enhancement.The mean ADC value of chondroid matrix-forming sarcomas [(2.56 ±0.35) × 10 -3 mm2/s] was significantly higher than that of other types of osteosarcoma [( 1.16±0.20) × 10-3 mm2/s] (t = 12.704,P <0.O1 ).There was no significant difference in the ADC value between the chondrosarcoma and the chondroblastie osteesarcama(Z =0.507 ,P =0.959).Conclusion Contrast-enhanced MRI and DWI can improve differentiation between chondroid matrix-forming sarcomas and other types of osteosarcomas.

Objective To analyze the application of quality control cycle (QCC) in reducing the false negative rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) of flow cytometry in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods In AML patients with abnormal fusion gene detected in hematology laboratory of Changhai Hospital during the year of 2014, the prevalence of AML-MRD detected both by flow cytometry (FCM) and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) were analyzed retrospectively. The possible causes of false negative rate of flow cytometric MRD referring to PCR were further deeply analyzed, and the improvement measures were adapted from January 2015 to December 2015 and further judged all according to the QCC methods. Results Pareto diagram showed that the dilution and coagulation of the specimen, the improper analysis strategy and the incomplete combination of the MRD index [composition ratio:83.3 % (60/72)] were the main factors leading to the leakage of FCM MRD in 2014. The QCC group devised measures to reduce the dilution probability of bone marrow and develop a standard operating procedures (SOP) for sampling and testing, strengthen the maintenance of the flow instrument and more importantly, focused on optimizing the antibody panels and gated strategies referring to the current two main kinds of MRD detection combination modes on the basis of the latest advances published in 2015. Finally, the undetected rate of AML-MRD was reduced by FCM from 14.8 % (72/486) in 2014 to 2.6 % (16/620) in 2015. Conclusions The QCC can effectively reduce the leakage rate of flow cytometric AML MRD, improve the ability of laboratory quality control and the ability to solve problems. Solving problems with QCC is thus worthy of being popularized.

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane pretreatment on the inflammatory response during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 12-14 weeks,weighing 220-260 g,were randomized into 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),I/R group and sevoflurane pretreatment group (group SP).Renal I/R was induced by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min followed by reperfusion in I/R and SP groups.In group S inhalation of 3％ sevoflurane in O2 was started at 30 min before I/R and maintained throughout the experiment.Venous blood samples were taken at 3 h of reperfusion for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The animals were then sacrificed and the left kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and for measurement of the content of tumor necrosis factor-apha (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in renal tissues (by ELISA).Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules (0 =normal,4 =necrosis of whole segment of proximal convoluted tubules),and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly increased in I/R and SP groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum BUN and Cr concentrations,severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules,and contents of TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in SP group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane pretreatment can protect kidney against I/R injury by inhibiting the inflammatory responses in the renal tissues of rats.

Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Kidney injury and decreased chemosensitivity of tumor cells are obstacles with cisplatin (CDDP) chemotherapy. Down-regulation of the organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) is a key means to alleviate CDDP-induced kidney injury and increase chemosensitivity. Astragaloside IV (AS IV) is obtained from the well-known traditional Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus. This study explored the role of AS IV in preventing kidney injury and enhancing the antitumor effect of CDDP by suppressing OCT2 expression in kidney and MRP2 in tumors. This project was reviewed and approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The effects of AS IV on CDDP inhibition of tumor growth and promotion of apoptosis were assessed in Lewis lung tumor (LLC)-bearing mice by H&E and TUNEL staining. Kidney injury was assessed by serum biochemical parameters and H&E staining. We used Western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays to detect OCT2 and MRP2 expression in kidney and tumor. The concentration of CDDP in kidney and tumor was measured by HPLC-MS/MS. AS IV enhanced CDDP chemosensitivity by increasing tumor cell apoptosis and slowing tumor growth, and decreased kidney injury as evidenced by lower blood creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Co-administration of AS IV suppressed MRP2 overexpression induced by CDDP in tumor tissues and may be an important mechanism for enhancing CDDP chemosensitivity. Moreover, AS IV reduced CDDP-induced kidney injury in mice along with suppression of OCT2 expression in kidney. The concentration of CDDP was increased in tumor but decreased in kidney. In total, AS IV not only enhanced the antitumor effect of CDDP by suppressing MRP2 expression in tumor cells, but also decreased kidney injury induced by CDDP. The results provide new insight into the combined use of a chemotherapy drug and natural ingredients to treat cancer.

Objective To observe the relationship between serum and monocyte-derivedmacrophages secreted adipocyte fatty acid binding protein(A-FABP), adiponectin(or A-FABP/adiponectin ratio)and coronary artery disease. Methods Three hundred and forty subjects underwent coronary angiography(CAG)were classified into CAD group(n = 211)and non-CAD group(n = 129)according to the CAG results. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was assessed by the numbers of involved coronary artery branches and the sum of the Gensini scores. Fasting venous blood was collected from all subjects and peripheral monocytes were isolated from 20 subjects(10 selected from each group with age-, gender-, and BMI-matched). Peripheral blood monocytes were obtained and stimulated into macrophages with PMA, cell culture supernatant was collected. The concentration of serum/supernatant A-FABP and adiponectin levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results(1)A-FABP levels tendend to be higher in CAD patients compared to non-CAD subjects[18. 3(13.2,22. 8)μg/L vs. 16. 4(13.5,20. 4)μg/L,P = 0. 088]. The concentration of adiponectin in CAD group was significantly lower than those in non-CAD group[13.9(9.8,17.1)mg/L vs. 19.7(14.5,27.6)mg/L,P ＜0.05].(2)The A-FABP levels increased and the adiponectin levels decreased as the number of stenotic vessels increased. Gensini scores were positively correlated with serum A-FABP(r = 0. 120, P = 0.043)and inversely correlated with adiponectin(r = - 0. 405, P = 0. 007).(3)The difference in A-FABP/adiponectin ratio was moreprominent between subjects with CAD and subjects without CAD[(1.51 ±0. 79)μg/mg vs.(0. 89 ±0. 30)μg/mg, P ＜ 0. 01]and there was a stronger positive correlation of Gensini score to A-FABP/adiponectin ratio(r =0. 531, P =0. 000).(4)Monocyte-derived-macrophages from patients with CAD had higher A-FABP/adiponectin ratio than that in patients without CAD[(0. 51 ± 0. 19)μg/mg vs.(0. 36 ± 0. 11)μg/mg, P ＜ 0. 05]. Conclusions Increased levels of serum A-FABP and reduced levels of adiponectin in CAD patients serves as a novel biomarker for the severity of the coronary stenosis. A-FABP/adiponectin ratio is superior to A-FABP or adiponectin alone on predicting CAD risks.

OBJECTIVETo study the predictors of level V metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODSThe clinic data of 122 patients with PTC who underwent therapeutic lateral neck dissection between March 2004 and November 2010 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 31 male and 91 female patients. The median age at diagnosis was 38.5 years (ranging from 8 to 87 years). All the patients had undergone unilateral or bilateral lymph node dissection (II-VI or I-VI). Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed using χ(2) test and binary Logistic regression test, respectively.

RESULTThe level V metastases was significantly associated with capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, preoperative distant metastasis, the size of primary, ipsilateral level IV lymph node metastasis and simultaneous metastases to ipsilateral level II, III and IV (χ(2) = 4.223 - 13.748, P < 0.05). Age, sex, tumor-multifocal, pTNM, central lymph node metastases ipsilateral level II lymph node metastases and ipsilateral level III lymph node metastases were not found to be associated with level V metastases (χ(2) = 0.882 - 3.167, P > 0.05). In multivariate analysis, extrathyroidal extension (OR = 8.32, 95%CI: 2.44 - 28.3, P = 0.001) and simultaneous metastases to ipsilateral level II, III and IV (OR = 7.81, 95%CI: 2.11 - 28.8, P = 0.002) were independent predictors of level V metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSExtrathyroidal extension, simultaneous metastases to ipsilateral level II, III and IV are risk factors for level V lymph nodes metastases in PTC. Dissection of level V lymph nodes should be considered for PTC patients with extrathyroidal extension and simultaneous metastases to ipsilateral level II, III and IV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult