Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; complications ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scalp ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of NKp44+NK cells in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in the PB of 20 active and 15 remission patients with RA and 20 healthy individuals were detected using flow cytometry.The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in the SF of 10 active patients were detected.Multiple nonparametric test was used to compared the difference of NKp44+NK cells proportions.Clinical data including DAS28,anti-CCP antibody and RF were collected.The relationship between NKp44+NK cells and clinical data was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in PB of active and remission patients and healthy individuals were (1.480±4.750)%,(0.540±0.590)%,(0.000±0.000)%respectively.The proportion of NKp44+NK cells in PB of active patients was significantly higher than that of remission patients and healthy individuals (x2=46.708,P=0.000).The proportion of NKp44+NK cells in the SF of ten active RA patients was significantly higher than matched PB.There was positive correlation between NKp44+NK cells proportion in PB and SF of active patients and DAS 28 and anti-CCP antibody level.There was no correlation between NKp44+NK cells proportion in PB,SF and RF.Conclusion There is a marked increase in the proportion of NKp44+NK cells in PB and SF of RA patients.Moreover,NKp44+NK cells are positively correlated with DAS28 and anti-CCP antibody,suggesting that NKp44+NK cells may be correlated with disease activity and severity.

Objective To use Excel worksheet function to achieve statistical analysis of the fourfold table qualitative data,and to improve knowledge of the.majority of researchers on the statistical capabilities of Excel.Methods The result of actual research published in Chinese Journal of Endemiology was the data source,and statistical analysis results of fourfold table data from Excel and from SAS software were contrasted.Results The worksheet function of Excel could realize the analysis fourfold table data chi-square test,obtained an accurate P values,but not just P ＞ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.05.The results of chi-square test of Excel were the same as the results from SAS software,but Excel could not obtain probability value of fisher exact probability.Conclusion As a dependent statistical analysis software,Excel is an easy to learn,easy to use,efficient and a good helper.In the absence of professional statistical software,Excel can be used to achieve data statistical analysis.

A method for simultaneous determination of the shikonin, acetyl shikonin and β, β'-dimethylpropene shikonin in Onosma hookeri and the chromatographic fingerprint was estabished by HPLC-DAD on an Agilent Zorbax SB-column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and water at 0.8 mL x min(-1), 30 degrees C. The quality assessment was conducted by comparing the content difference of three naphthoquinone constituents, in combination with chromatographic fingerprint analysis and systems cluster analysis among 7 batches of radix O. hookeri. The content of the three naphthoquinone constituents showed wide variations in 7 bathces. The similarity value of the fingerprints of sample 5, 6 and 7 was above 0.99, sample 2 and 3 above 0.97, sample 3 and 4 above 0.90, and other samples larger than 0.8, which was in concert with the content of three naphthoquinone constituents. The 7 samples were roughly divided into 4 categories. The results above indicated that the using of this medicine is complex and rather spotty. The established HPLC fingerprints and the quantitative analysis method can be used efficiently for quality assessment of O. hookeri.
Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Naphthoquinones ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression levels of miR-146a and miR -16 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their correlation to the disease activity.

METHODSThe expression levels of miR-146a and miR-16 in the in PBMCs were measured using real-time RT-PCR in 40 RA patients and 16 healthy individuals. The correlations of miR-146a and miR-16 expressions to the disease activity of RA were analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression levels of miR-146a and miR-16 in the PBMCs of RA patients increased significantly compared to those in the healthy individuals (P<0.05). Their expression levels was significantly higher in active RA patients than in patients with disease remission (P<0.05) and healthy individuals (P<0.01). The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-16 were positively correlated to ESR, CRP and the disease activity scores in 28 joints (DAS28) (P<0.01), but not to RF (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe elevated expression levels of miR-146a and miR-16 are correlated to RA disease activity, suggesting their value in assessment of the clinical disease activity of RA.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compression or ventilation throughout a response of average emergency medical services because of increased rescuer fatigue. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in training of military medical university students during a prolonged basic life support (BLS). METHODS: A 3-hour BLS training was given to 120 military medical university students. Six months after the training, 115 students performed single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8 minutes. The qualities of chest compressions as well as ventilations were assessed. RESULTS: The average compression depth and rate were 53.7±5.3 mm and 135.1±15.7 compressions per minute respectively. The proportion of chest compressions with appropriate depth was 71.7％±28.4％. The average ventilation volume was 847.2±260.4 mL and the proportion of students with adequate ventilation was 63.5％. Compared with male students, significantly lower compression depth (46.7±4.8 vs. 54.6±4.8 mm,P<0.001) and adequate compression rate (35.5％±26.5％ vs. 76.1％±25.1％,P<0.001) were observed in female students. CONCLUSIONS: CPR was found to be related to gender, body weight, and body mass index of students in this study. The quality of chest compressions was well maintained in male students during 8 minutes of conventional CPR but declined rapidly in female students after 2 minutes according to the latest national guidelines. Physical fitness and rescuer fatigue did not affect the quality of ventilation.

In order to study the distribution of virulence genes of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Hebei Province,29 virulence genes of Lm,including Listeria monocytogenes pathogenicity islands Ⅰ (LIPI-Ⅰ:prfA,plcA,plcB,hlyA,mpl and actA),10 internalins genes (inlA,inlB,inlC,inlD,inlE,inlF,inlG,inlH /C2,inlI and inlJ) and the other 13 virulence-associated genes (bsh,srtA,iap,sigB,virR,mprF,dltA,dltB,dltC,dltD,srtB,fbpA and hpt) were detected by PCR.Results showed that in the 91 Lm strains,the detection rate of 23 virulence genes were 100％.The 29 virulence genes of 26 Lm strains were all detected,and 65 Lm strains had different deletion of 6 virulence genes inlD,inlF,inlG,inlH /C2,inlJ and mpl.The deletion rate of inlG and inlF were 60.44％ and 54.95％,respectively,following by mpl gene,with a deletion rate of 19.78％.According to the absence of virulence genes,91 strains could be divided into 10 subtypes,and the dominant virulence subtypes was type Ⅰ with all 23 virulence genes.The deletion rate of virulent genes in Shijiazhuang was higher than that in northern Hebei.It is suggested that the rate of virulence gene of food-borne Lm in Hebei Province is high,and the virulence gene deletion patterns has diversity and regional differences.

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship between the level of serum TNF-alpha of chronic hepatitis C with severity of disease and curative effect of anti-virus therapy with interferon alpha.

METHODSThirty healthy controls and 102 patients with chronic hepatitis C were recruited into this study. The level of serum TNF-alpha was determined by ELISA in both groups. Then the 102 patients with chronic hepatitis C were evaluated after being classified into mild (44 cases), moderate (34 cases), and severe types (24 cases) based on the results of liver function tests. Liver functions, viral load and genotype of HCV RNA were measured.

RESULTSBefore anti-virus treatment, the level of fasting serum TNF-alpha in the patients with chronic hepatitis C (1) was higher than that of the normal controls; (2) in the cases with mild type was lower than that in the moderate and severe groups; (3) serum TNF-alpha was not associated with the HCV load; (4) serum TNF-alpha was not significantly different between HCV subtypes 1b and 2a; (5) serum TNF-alpha was not significantly different between the patients responsive and non-responsive to the anti-virus treatment; (6) serum TNF-alpha was positively correlated with the level of serum direct bilirubin, negatively correlated with cholinesterase (CHE).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of fasting serum TNF-alpha in the patients with chronic hepatitis was higher than that in the normal controls, and was positively correlated with the severity of the disease but not correlated with the therapeutic effect of interferon-alpha.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Viral Load

Objective To investigate the prognostic factors affecting early breast cancer patients with conserving surgery and discuss the influences of chemoradiation sequence on treatment efficacy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 191 cases of early breast cancer after breast conservation surgery in the second hospital of Dalian medical university,from January 1,2006 to December 31,2015.According to the treatment order,they were divided into radiotherapy group,chemotherapy group and sandwich group.There were 32 patients in the radiotherapy group,107 patients in the chemotherapy group,and 52 patients in the sandwich group.The sandwich group was treated with chemotherapy-radiotherapy-chemotherapy.The factors were analyzed independently from the patients' age,menopausal status,pathology type,tumor size (T1,T2),axillary lymph node,molecular type of breast cancer,the interval between surgery and radiation,vascular tumor emboli.Regression model was used to find the risk factors of early stage breast cancer patients with conserving surgery.The 5-year LRR and 5-year OS was compared among radiotherapy-first group,chemotherapy-first group,the sandwich group in patients with high risk factors,and the factors associated with the prognosis of patients were analysed.Results The Multivariate Cox Regression model showed that tumor size,axillary lymph node,vascular tumor emboli,the interval between surgery and radiation were independent risk factors associated with 5-year OS.Among patients with T1 and T2 stage in radiotherapy-first group,chemotherapy-first group,sandwich group,there was no statistical difference in 5-year LRR or 5-year OS (P ＞ 0.05).Among patients with N0 stage in radiotherapy first group,chemotherapy first group,sandwich group,5-year LRR were not statistically different (P ＞ 0.05).For patients with N1 stage in chemotherapy-first group and the sandwich group 5-year LRR were with statistical difference(x2 =4.813,P =0.028).OS were without statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).In patients with vascular tumor emboli in radiotherapy-first group,chemotherapy-first group,the sandwich group,5-year LRR were without statistical difference (5.3％,9.2％,vs.18.1％,P ＞ 0.05),OS were statistically different (61.5％,90.1％ vs.87.2％,x2 =6.282,P =0.043).For patients without vascular tumor emboli,there was no statistical difference in 5-year LRR (P ＞ 0.05).For patients started radiation within 6 months after surgery in radiotherapy-first group,chemotherapy-first group,the sandwich group,5-year LRR were without statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).However,patients in chemotherapy-first group the time interval surgery and radiation ≤6 months vs.＞6 months 5-year LRR was 5.2％ and 14.1％ (x2 =4.886,P=0.027),5-year OS were 96.9％ and 85.7％ (x2 =5.758,P =0.038).Conclusions Clinical treatment is based on individualized options.For patients with negative axillary lymph nodes,but high risk factors for local recurrence,radiotherapy may be performed firstly.For high-risk patients with axillary lymph node metastasis or vascular tumor embolus,chemotherapy should be started early and radiotherapy may be followed,but not more than 6 months.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and the sensitivity of gastric carcinoma to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its prodrugs.

METHODSGastric carcinoma cell line AGS was transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-TP or control plasmid pEGFP-N1 by lipofectamin 2000. The expression of green fluorescence labeled protein was observed under fluorescence microscope. Positive clones AGS-p and AGS-pTP were selected by G418 treatment. Expression of TP protein and mRNA was detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Drug sensitivity to 5-FU and its prodrugs was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSCell clones with the expression of green fluorescent protein (AGS-p) and a clone with TP and green fluorescent fusion protein (AGS-pTP) were established. Immunostaining of TP protein was strongly positive in AGS-pTP and negative in AGS-p and AGS. The expression of TP mRNA was significantly higher in AGS-pTP (0.8090 ± 0.0450) than that in AGS (0.0490 ± 0.0046) and AGS-p (0.0610 ± 0.0069; P < 0.01). The sensitivity to doxifluridine and capecitabine in AGS-pTP was significantly increased, as compared with that in AGS-p. IC50 values of AGS-pTP to doxifluridine and capecitabine were estimated 1.7 folds and 2.2 folds as much as that of AGS-p, respectively. The sensitivity to 5-FU was not different between AGS-pTP and AGS-p.

CONCLUSIONSEnhancement of TP expression improves the sensitivity of gastric carcinoma cells to doxifluridine and capecitabine. But it does not affect the sensitivity to 5-FU.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Capecitabine ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Floxuridine ; pharmacology ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thymidine Phosphorylase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection