This study investigated whether the curative effect of short-pulse gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on the vasopressin-induced dyspeptic symptoms was mediated by central opioid peptide-producing neurons. Five female beagle dogs implanted with 1 pair of electrodes in gastric serosa were used in a two-experiment study. In experiment one, the brain was scanned by positron emission tomography in 3 dogs with and without short-pulse GES, and the radioactivity in nuclei of solitary tract (NST) and hypothalamus was detected. Experiment two was composed of 4 sessions. In session one, the dogs were injected with vasopressin in the absence of short-pulse GES. With session two, the short-pulse GES was simultaneously given via the electrodes with the injection of vasopressin. In sessions three and four, naloxone and naloxone methiodide was administered respectively in the presence of short-pulse GES. Motion sickness-like symptoms were scored and compared among the different sessions. The results showed that the short-pulse GES significantly increased the radioactivity in NST and hypothalamic nuclei (P<0.05, vs control). The short-pulse GES could ameliorate the vasopressin-induced motion sickness-like symptoms in dogs. Naloxone, but not naloxone methiodide could attenuate the curative effects of short-pulse GES. It is concluded that NST and hypothalamic nuclei may participate in the mediation of the curative effects of short-pulse GES on dyspepsia-like symptoms. Central opioid peptide-containing neurons presumably mediate the therapeutic effect on dyspeptic symptoms of short-pulse GES.

Interleukin family plays an important role in cleating the infection of Toxoplasma gondii in the body of host such as destroying the infected cells,constructing immunity system and regulating immunity balance,and so on.Here we reviewed the role of several important interleukin family members so as to provide scientific basis for the treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Objective To investigate the effects of "a determinant variants in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients on the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) and anti-HBs antibodies (HBsAb). Methods Eight hundred sixty-six chronic hepatitis B patients were enrolled, which HBs Ag carriage was beyond a 6 month period.77 patients(8.9%)concomitantly carried both HBs Ag and anti-HBs antibodies,789 patients(91.1%)were only HBs Ag positive. Selection criteria for patients with both HBs Ag and anti-HBs were mainly focused on anti-HBs titers at least three times above the analytical threshold of the technique(10 U/L)on at least three consecutive visits.14 patients were selected from77 patients, who presented both markers(group Ⅰ),and 12 patients from another 789 patients who positive for HBs Ag only(group Ⅱ)were randomly selected as controls. The HBs Ag-encoding gene was amplified and cloned, and at least 15clones per patient were sequenced and analyzed. Results The number of residue changes within the S protein group Ⅰ was 2.7 times more frequently than that in group Ⅱ patients, and "a" determinant of the major hydrophilic region(MHR)occurred mostly. Ten patients (71%)from group Ⅰ and three patients(25%)from group Ⅱ presented at least two residue changes in the MHR. The most frequent changes in group Ⅰ patients were located at positions s145,s129,s126,s144, and s123 as described for immune escape variants. Conclusions In CHB patients, the coexistence of HBsAg and HBsAb is associated with an increase of "a" determinant variability, suggesting a selection of HBV immune escape mutants during chronic carriage. The consequences of this selection process play an important role in vaccine efficacy, diagnosis and clinical therapy.

Objective To study effects of low molecular weight heparin on liver fibrosis and the serum levels of TGF-?_1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus.Methods 45 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus were randomized into control group(the routine strategy)and trial group(the routine strategy + low molecular weight heparin).The period of treatment is 3 weeks.Serum hepatic fibrosis indices before and after heparin treatment were examined by RIA,the levels of serum TGF-?_1 before and after heparin treatment were examined by ELISA.Results Hepatic functions became significantly better in trial groups,serum PⅢP and type IV collage levels and the levels of serum TGF-?_1 in trial group decreased significantly after treatment.Conclusions The mechanism of anti-fibrosis action of LMWH may inhibited production of TGF-?_1 in patients with HBV.

The characteristics of onset time of cough variant asthma (CVA) match with the human hypnagogic and arousal time nodes, which are also in accordance with the time of defensive qi entering yin and exiting yang of human body. Reviewing the generation and physiological function of defensive qi, we hold that the onset of CVA is related to the lung, the spleen and the kidney. Deficiency of the three viscera leads to defi ciency of defensive qi defi ciency, and blockade of the circulation pathway of defensive qi on body surface, thus interaction of the two factors results in the special time nods of CVA’s onset, which is also the basic pathomechenism of CVA.

Objective To investigate the immunogenicity of mycobacteriophage D29 (phage D 29) in guinea pig models with different delivery routes,and provide information for the application of phages in tuberculosis (TB) therapy.Methods Hartley guinea pigs were administrated with phage D29 through inhalation,intranasal drop or subcutaneous injection for 6 times within 35 days.7H9 broth aerosol inhalation and 0.85 ％ NaCl solution aerosol inhalation were set as solvent and negative controls,respectively.Anti-phage D29 neutralizing antibodies in sera collected weekly were measured by phage reduction neutralizing test (PRNT) and cytokine levels (interleukin-2,interleukin-4 and interferon-γ) were detected at day 35 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The data were analyzed by ANOVA and nonparametric test.ResultsNeutralizing antibodies were both negative in two control groups,while low-titer neutralizing antibodies (below 1 ∶ 100) appeared in inhalation and intranasal drop groups only at day 7 and day 14. Nevertheless, neutralizing antibodies were continuously detected in subcutaneous injection group,which increased rapidly and reached 1∶ 16 365.6 at day 35. After 35 days of experiments,serum concentrations of interleukin-2 (x2 =2.7605,P＞0.05),interleukin-4 (F=2.17,P＞0.05) and interferon-γ(F=0.75,P＞0.05) among three treatment groups and two control groups were all not significantly different.ConclusionsThe titer of anti-phage 29 neutralizing antibodies induced by inhalation or intranasal drop administration of phage D29 are both significantly lower than subcutaneous injection.Phage D29 administration doesn’t change the levels of cytokines,which indicates that it may not break the helper T cell (Th)1/Th2 balance.

Objective To investigate the risk factors related to progressive intracranial hemorrhage (PIH) in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) and analyze their clinical significance.Methods PIH was validated by comparing the initial and repeated CT scans. Data including gender,age, injury causes, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) on admission, time interval from injury to the first CT scan, initial CT scan manifestations, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fg), thrombin time (TT), platelet (PLT) and D-dimer (D-D) in both groups were compared with Logistic regression analysis to observe the risk factors related to PIH. Results The study involved 498 patients with acute TBI, of which 139 (27.91%) patients suffered from PIH. There were 116 patients (83.45%) with PIH who received the initial CT scan within two hours post injury.There was statistical difference in aspects of age, GCS on admission, time interval from injury to the first CT scan, initial CT scan manifestations ( including fractures, subarachnoid hematoma, contusion and onset hematoma), PT, Fg and D-D values in both groups (P ＜0.01 ). Logistic regression analysis showed that CT scans (subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain contusion and primary hematoma) and plasma D-D values were predictors of PIH ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions For patients with the initial CT scan manifestations including subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain contusion, primary hematoma together with D-D value increase within two hours post injury, a continuous CT scan should be performed promptly to detect PIH early.

This study investigated whether the curative effect of short-pulse gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on the vasopressin-induced dyspeptic symptoms was mediated by central opioid peptide-producing neurons. Five female beagle dogs implanted with 1 pair of electrodes in gastric serosa were used in a two-experiment study. In experiment one,the brain was scanned by positron emission tomography in 3 dogs with and without short-pulse GES,and the radioactivity in nuclei of solitary tract (NST) and hypothalamus was detected. Experiment two was composed of 4 sessions. In session one,the dogs were injected with vasopressin in the absence of short-pulse GES. With session two,the short-pulse GES was simultaneously given via the electrodes with the injection of vasopressin. In sessions three and four,naloxone and naloxone methiodide was administered respectively in the presence of short-pulse GES. Motion sickness-like symptoms were scored and compared among the different sessions. The results showed that the short-pulse GES significantly increased the radioactivity in NST and hypothalamic nuclei (P＜0.05,vs control). The short-pulse GES could ameliorate the vasopressin-induced motion sickness-like symptoms in dogs. Naloxone,but not naloxone methiodide could attenuate the curative effects of short-pulse GES. It is concluded that NST and hypothalamic nuclei may participate in the mediation of the curative effects of short-pulse GES on dyspepsia-like symptoms. Central opioid peptide-containing neurons presumably mediate the therapeutic effect on dyspeptic symptoms of short-pulse GES.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of ureteroscopic holmium laser Iithotripsy for treatment of upper ureteral calculi. Methods:The clinic data of 52 cases of upper ureteral calculi treated by ureteroscope with holmium laser lithotripsy were retrospectively analyzed. There are 2 cases of bilateral upper ureteral calculi, and the total number of left upper ureteral calculi was 30, and the right side of 24. The size of the stones were (0.4～1.7) cruX (0.6～2.0) cm. Resuits:The overall successful operation rate for all upper ureteral calculi stones in single procedure was 98.1% (53/54), except 1 due to ureteral stenosis converted to open surgery. The average operation time was about 28 min(17～65 min). Fellowed up after one month, one-time stone-free rate was 90.6%(48/53), 5 eases of patients with residual calculi re-tained double-J tube and performed extracorporeal lithotripsy. Fellowed up after three months, ipsilateral hydronephrosis in all patients was significantly alleviated. Conclusions: Treatment of upper ureteral calculi by ureteroscopie holmium laser lithotripsy is safe and effective, which could be preferred used as endoscopic treatment of upper ureteral calculi.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and hormonal features of patients with incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas in relation to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) testing and the clinical outcome of adrenalectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with incidentally detected adrenal adenomas were included in this retrospective study. All the patients underwent abdominal computed tomography scans and hormonal assays, including assessment of circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol and corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH), a corticotropin stimulation test, and low-dose and high-dose dexamethasone tests. The patients were reevaluated at regular intervals (6, 12, and 24 months) for a median period of 24 months. Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) was diagnosed in patients with subtle hypercortisolism who did not present clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome. RESULTS: We calculated the responsive index (peak value of ACTH in CRH test/baseline value of ACTH in CRH test). Of 23 patients, 6 had Cushing's syndrome, 8 had SCS, and 9 had a non-functioning tumor. All patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Several patients (5 of 6 with Cushing's syndrome and 2 of 8 with SCS) required cortisol replacement therapy after surgery. The remaining patients required no hormonal replacement after surgery. Those who required hormone replacement had a responsive index of less than 1.2. Those who did not need hormone replacement therapy had a responsive index of more than 2.0. CONCLUSIONS: In our limited experience, the responsive index of the CRH test might be a valuable tool for predicting the need for cortisol replacement after surgery in patients with SCS.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Circadian Rhythm ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Cushing Syndrome ; Dexamethasone ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies