Objective To investigate the effect of Rosuvastatin on micro-inflammatory and serum lipids in hemodialysis patients. Method A total of 100 hemodialysis patients enrolled in our hospital from April 2014 to April 2016 was divided into control and treatment group. The control group received regular hemodialysis. The treat-ment group received regular hemodialysis combined with rosuvastatin. The general information ,micro inflammatory index ,serum lipids and clinical symptoms were compared between the two groups. There was no significant dif-ference between the two groups in terms of age,sexual,time of hemodialysis,primary disease,ultrafiltration vol-ume,MQSGA score,BUN,Scr,TC and TG. There was no significant difference between these two groups in terms of CRP ,IL-6 ,TNF-α,TC ,LDL ,TG before the treatment. The treatment group was significantly lower than that of control group ,in terms of CRP ,IL-6 ,TNF-α,TG ,LDL ,TC and BUA ,after treatment. In the 3-month treatment,50 patients in control and treatment group appears weakness:4 vs. 0(8%vs. 0%,P=0.041);fatigue symptom:7 vs. 1(14%vs. 2%,P=0.027);muscle spasm:8 vs. 2(16%vs. 4%,P=0.045);hypotension:5 vs. 0(4% vs. 2%,P = 0.021). Treatment group was remarkably lower than control group(P < 0.05). Conclusion Rosuvastatin can effectively alleviate the micro-inflammatory state of remission ,reduce serum lipid and uric acid in hemodialysis patients ,and improve the complications in hemodialysis.

Objective To investigate the application value of CEUS combined with biopsy in qualitative diagnosis of pe ripheral pulmonary lesions.Methods A total of 158 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions underwent percutaneous puncture biopsy.Among them,97 cases underwent CEUS before biopsy (experiment group),and 61 cases underwent conventional ultrasound (control group).Puncture times,positive rate of samples pathological diagnosis and occurrence rate of complications were compared between the two groups.The time intensity curve (TIC) was used to obtain the rise time (RT),time to peak (TTP),wash-in slope (WIS) and peak intensity (PI).The parameters of TIC between the two groups were compared.The enhanced morphology of lesions was also observed and recorded.Results The positive rate of samples pathological diagnosis was 94.85 ％ (92/97) in experiment group and 83.61％ (51/61) in control group.The difference of the positive rate was significant between the two groups (P=0.02).In experiment and control group,the average puncture times were 2.11±0.48 and 2.20±0.44;While the occurrence rate of complications were 2.06％ (2/97) and 4.91％ (3/61).No significant difference was found of the average puncture times and the occurrence rate of complications between the two groups (both P＞0.05).While the statistical differences of RT,PI and WIS were found between benign and malignant lesions (all P＜0.05) in experiment group.And no statistical difference of TTP was found (P =0.08).Totally 77.50％ (31/40) of the benign lesions showed inhomogeneous enhancement,while the proportion was 88.46％ (46/52) in malignant lesions.There was no statistical difference of enhanced morphology between benign and malignant lesions (P=0.16).Conclusion CEUS is helpful in distinguishing benign and malignant peripheral pulmonary lesions.And it has great value in guiding percutaneous biopsy in peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Objective Pathophysiology has high comprehensiveness and practical characteristics. Developing analytical capacity is a major teaching aim of Pathophysiology. This study was aimed to build up the basic knowledge of pathophysiology and develop a critical approach through comparative case learning in medical students. Methods A pair of related cases were chosen in this study. Comparative case learning was performed in our lecture. Case analysis was tested before and after comparative case learning,and a self-evaluation was accessed after comparative case learning. The scores of case-analyzing test and self-evaluation assessment were statistically analyzed. Results Using“comparative case learning”in pathophysiology could improve medical students' case-analyzing score,especially in clinical syndrome analyzing examination questions(difficult examination questions). There was a significant correlation between high score of clinical syndrome analyzing examination and students' self-evaluation. ConclusionComparative case learning could improve the analytical,data searching and comprehensive abilities,thereby enhancing a case-analyzing ability in medical students.

Objective To study the effects of alpinetin on apoptosis of Hep3B cells and explore the related mechanism.Methods Hep3B cells were cultured in vitro,treated with alpinetin; RT-PCR and Western blot was used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2; MTT assay was used to detect the cellular growth inhibitory rate; Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cells; Mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by flow cytometry; Western blot was used to detect protein expression of Caspase-3,9 and Cytochrome C ; the experiment was carried out in four groups:control group,high dosage of alpinetin group,middle dosage of alpinetin group and low dosage of alpinetin group.Results The expression of Bcl-2 in Hep3B cells were decreased by alpinetin.After treated with different dosages of alpinetin (40,80,120 μmol/L),the apoptotic inhibitory rate detected by MTT were 6.38％ ± 1.32％,21.58％ ± 1.97％ and 43.18％ ± 3.89％,significantly higher than those in control group (tlowdose =13.01,tmiddle dose =15.12,thighdose =14.79,average P ＜ 0.01) ; the expression of mitochondrial membrane potential green fluorescence protein (GFP) were 18.93％ ± 2.3％,31.11％ ± 2.67％ and46.06％ ± 2.95％,significantly higher than those in control group (tlow dose =16.70,tmiddle dose =31.38,thigh dose =48.15,average P ＜ 0.01).Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Caspase-3,9 andCytochrome C in cytoplasm significantly was higher than those in control group(Caspase-3:llow dose =11.94,tmiddle dose =10.18,thigh dose =18.82,average P ＜0.01; Caspase-9:tlow dose =15.11,tmiddle dose =20.41,thish dose =21.25,average P ＜0.01; Cytochrome C:tlow dose =15.11,tmiddle dose =28.47,thigh dose =16.01,average P ＜ 0.01).while that Cytochrome C in mitochondria significantly lower than those in control group (tlow dose =16.70,tmiddle dose =12.00,thighdose =27.61,average P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Alpinetin promotes apoptosis of human hepatic cancer cells Hep3B by down-regulating Bcl-2,probably through mitochondrial pathway.

Recent studies showed that activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway promoted the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells in the arterial calcification, but its mechanism remains unknown. In this study, the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells by upregulating the expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) was examined. LiCl was used to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The differentiation of osteoblast-like cells was observed by Von Kossa staining, calcium content assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and detection of osteocalcin expression. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG, the decoy receptor of RANKL) during the osteoblast-like cell differentiation. Different concentrations of OPG were added to the culture media respectively to inhibit the function of RANKL, and the change in the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells was evaluated. The results showed that when the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated by LiCl, the expression of RANKL was significantly increased, which coincided with the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells (P<0.05), and the OPG treatment could partly attenuate the promoting effect of Wnt/β-catenin pathway on the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells (P<0.05), but it failed to completely abolish such effect. It was concluded that activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells by both RANKL-dependent and RANKL-independent mechanisms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Busheng Huoxue Capsule (BHC) on the quality of life (QOL) in senile male osteoporosis (OP) patients, and to explore its mechanisms.

METHODSTotally 200 senile primary OP patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digit table method, 100 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took BHC plus caltrate-D (600 mg CaCO3), while those in the control group took alendronate (70 mg per week) plus caltrate-D. The therapeutic course was 12 months for all. Chinese medical symptom score and quality of life (QUALEFFO-41) score, bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and left femoral neck were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Serum free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were also measured.

RESULTSChinese medical symptom scores and QUALEFFO-41 scores, serum FT and E2 levels increased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The therapeutic effect was superior in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After treatment the BMD of lumbar vertebra (L2 -L4) and the left femoral neck were somewhat improved (P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBHC could effectively improve the QOL of senile male OP patients, which might be correlated with elevating the BMD levels and regulating the levels of sex hormones.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Drainage ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Suction

Objective To assess the differences in carotid artery stiffness properties and endothelium-independent dilation (EID)between elderly and young patients,and evaluate the echotracking (ET)system for vascular stiffness at different ages.Methods A total of 79 outpatients with multiple cardiovascular risks were recruited.Clinical data including medical history,height,weight,blood pressure,fasting blood glucose and blood lipid were collected.We evaluated the arterial stiffness parameters of carotid artery and EID using an ultrasonic ET system in 46 elderly subjects,compared with 33 sex-matched non-elderly subjects.The impaired EID function was defined as brachial artery nitroglycerin mediated dilation (NMD)below 4％.Results All stiffness parameters including pressure-strain elasticity modulus stiffness index β (Ep),pulse wave velocity β (PWVβ)and augmentation index (AI)were significantly increased in elderly group compared with the non-elderly group [(138.9±64.7)kPa vs.(100.6±30.8)kPa,(10.9±4.7)vs.(8.2±2.3),and (6.9±1.4)m/s vs.(6.1±0.9)m/s,P＜0.05 respectively],while the exception of arterial compliance (AC)was reduced (0.9±0.3)mm2/kPa vs.(1.0±0.5)mm2/kPa(P＜0.05).The incidence of impaired EID in elderly group was higher than in non-elderly group [56.5％ (26 cases) vs.33.3％ (11 cases),P＜0.05].ET parameters including Ep,stiffness index β,PWVβ,AC and AI were related to age (r=-0.44,-0.45,-0.40,-0.40,0.34,all P＜0.01)； Ep,stiffness index β,PWVβ and AC were also related to impaired EDI (r=-0.38,-0.40,-0.34,-0.29,all P＜0.01).Conclusions Arterial stiffness properties and EID measured by ET system was more serious in elderly with multiple cardiovascular risks than in non-elderly subjects.As a convenient and accurate assessment of stiffness parameters,ET system is optimal option for measuring arterial stiffness and EID in elderly people.

Objective To explore the role of pulmonary function analysis in drug efficacy evaluation of radiation-induced lung injury.Methods Totally 30 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group, radiation group and dexamethasone group.Mice in radiation group and dexamethasone group were irradiated with 20 Gy X-ray on the whole chest.Then mice in dexamethasone group was intraperitoneally injected with dexamethasone at the dose of 4.5 mg/( kg· d) for 2 weeks and then the dose was halved up to 1 month after radiation while control group and radiation group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%saline.One month after irradiation, pulmonary function of all the mice was tested with EMKA system.Then mice were sacrificed and pathological changes of pulmonary tissue were observed by HE staining. Furthermore, the area of alveolar cavity was measured with the Image-pro plus software.Results One month after irradiation, the pulmonary function parameters of mice in radiation and dexamethasone groups, such as mid-expiratory flow, minute volume,tidal volume,peak inspiratory flow,and peak expiratory flow,decreased obviously compared with the control group, but those parameters of the dexamethasone group decreased much less significantly than in the radiation group.The pathological changes of pulmonary tissues showed that the area of alveolar cavity of radiation group and dexamethasone group was smaller than that of the control group, but the extent of the loss of alveolar cavity area of the dexamethasone group was less than in the radiation group.Neutrophils infiltration could be found in the radiation group and dexamethasone group, but was less serious in the dexamethasone group.The result of pulmonary function analysis was coincident with pathological changes of the lung.Conclusion Dexamethasone can alleviate radiation induced pulmonary injury.Pulmonary function analysis combined with pathological observation of pulmonary tissues can effectively evaluate the efficacy of drugs in radiation induced lung injury.

Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease.Various treatment regimens and combinations of therapies provide only partial renoprotection.Therefore new approaches are needed to retard the progression of DN.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of a novel spiroalkaloid from Acorus tatarinowii named acortatarin A (AcorA) in inhibiting high glucose-induced extracellular matrix accumulation in mesangial cells (MCs).Methods The cytotoxity of AcorA on MCs was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.The expression of fibronectin and collagen Ⅳ was examined by real time PCR and western blotting.The expression of p22phox and p47phox was detected by western blot.The interaction between p22phox and p47phox was examined by co-immunoprecipitation.The phosphorylation of p47phox was examined by immunoprecipitation.The phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) α,PKCβ,phospholiase C gamma (PLCγ1),and the p85 subunit of PI3K was determined by Western blotting.Results AcorA significantly inhibited high glucose-induced activation of NADPH oxidase,a ROS-generating enzyme,by increasing phosphorylation of p47phox and enhancing interaction between p22phox and p47phox.Preincubation of AcorA with MCs inhibited high glucose-induced collagen Ⅳ and fibronectin production in a dose-dependent manner.Moreover,AcorA attenuated high glucose enhanced phosphorylation of PKCα,PKCβ,PLCγ1,and the p85 subunit of PI3K.Conclusion AcorA inhibits high glucose-induced extracellular matrix production via blocking NADPH oxidase activation.