Objective To explore the levels of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to explore the relationship between the levels of these inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of MS. Methods Blood samples were collected from 21 MS patients of acute period (acute period of MS group), 20 MS patients of remitting period (remitting period of MS group) and 21 patients with non inflammatory and vascular neurologic disease (control group). The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid were measured and compared. Results The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid before treatment in acute period of MS group were significantly higher than those in remitting period of MS group (P<0.01) and in control group (P<0.01). The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment in acute period of MS group (P<0.01). The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in blood before and after treatment had correlations in acute period of MS group (r=0.962, P=0.000;r=0.848, P=0.000). The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in cerebrospinal fluid before and after treatment had correlations in the acute period group (r=0.968, P=0.000;r=0.850, P=0.000). Conclusions The levels of sPLA2 and LPA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid may be used as inflammatory biomarkers for disease activity in MS patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Kuntai Capsule (KC) on the number of retrieved oocytes, the quality of high-quality oocytes and embryos in in vitro fertilization of poor ovarian response (POR) patients.

METHODSTotally 70 POR patients preparing for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group, 35 cases in each group. KC was administered to patients in the observation group in the preparation cycle (i.e., three menstrual cycles before IVF-ET) and during the superovulation process. Those in the control group took placebo during this period. Before and after medication the improvement of Shen yin deficiency syndrome (SYDS) was observed in the two groups. The basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), the ratio of FSH to LH, and antral follicle count (AFC) were observed. Besides, the E2 level of a single ovum on the day of HCG injection, the number of retrieved oocytes, the high-quality oocyte rate, and the high-quality embryos were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the SYDS, decreased bFSH and LH levels, increased ACF numbers, the E2 level of a single ovum on the day of HCG injection, the number of retrieved oocytes, high-quality oocytes, and high-quality embryos were superior in the observation group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the decreased FSH/LH level (P > 0.05). E2 and AMH increased after medication of KC in the observation group, while they decreased after administration of placebos in the control group. There was statistical difference in the post-pre treatment difference of E2 and AMH between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKC could increase the number of retrieved oocytes, and elevate the quality of occytes and embryos in the IVF-ET.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Pregnancy

Pro-prostate-specific antigen (proPSA) is the precursor of PSA and a form of free PSA (fPSA). In recent years, a lot of studies have been done on proPSA, the roles of its related indexes in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the value of its clinical application. The correlated indexes of proPSA include proPSA, % pPSA, p2PSA, % p2PSA and prostate health index (PHI). They are more effective than total PSA (tPSA) and fPSA in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, especially % p2PSA and PHI, which may significantly increase our ability to detect and identify PCa and lower the rate of unnecessary biopsies. This article presents an overview on the advances in the studies of proPSA and the application of its related indexes in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Biopsy ; Enzyme Precursors ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the long-term allograft survival in cadaver- ic renal transplantation.Methods Parameter data were obtained from 249 patients who received immuno- suppressive agents after renal transplantation.Health resources were evaluated for 1-5 years;and 14 relevant factors,including age,sex,therapeutic regimen choice and complications,etc were analyzed.Life table method and COX regression model were used to analyze the risk factors influencing the outcomes and to calculate the survival rates.Results Following renal transplantation,the survival rates of recipients who lived for 1,2 and 3 years were 72.6%,56.0% and 40.8%,respectively;and the rates of those who lived for 4 and 5 years both were 22.5%.The median survival time was 34.9 month.With the therapy prolonged,the survival benefit in MMF group was superior to that in AZA group,with the median survival time being 38.9 months 30.6 months,respectively.COX regression model showed that the main predictive factors were treatment regi- men(P=0.000),follow-up period(P=0.000),patient's compliance(P=0.000),acute rejection episode (P=0.020),sex(P=0.001)and hospitalization period(P=0.040).Conclusions Life table and COX regression model are useful methods for evaluating long-term outcome and influencing factors in renal trans- plant patients.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Breast Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fasciitis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fibroma ; pathology ; Fibrosarcoma ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

MicroRNA(miRNA) is involved in virtually all biologic processes, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Thus, miRNA deregulation often results in impaired cellular function and disease development, so miRNAs have potential therapeutic relevance. The elucidation of these processes regulated by miRNAs and the identification of novel miRNA targets in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a highly valuable and exciting strategy that may eventually led to the development of novel treatment approaches for hypertension. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension: overactivation of therenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), dysfunction of the vascular endothelium, damnification of vascular smooth muscle. To maintain and restore target organ expression of miRNA stable may be a new strategy for treatment of hypertension. The article reviews pathogenesis of miRNA and hypertension, researches of miRNAs as biomarker and therapeutic target, discusses advances in miRNA-based approaches that may be important in treating hypertension.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy

Objective To investigate the clinical value of endometrial receptivity detected by transvaginal color Doppler flow imaging(TV-CDFI) in patients treated with ovulation induction. Methods Fifty-three anovulation patients were divided into two groups at random, 28 cases (67 cycles) in the combined group treated with traditional Chinese medicine and human menopausal gonadotropin(HMG), and 25 cases(66 cycles) in the HMG group were treated with HMG alone. The endometrial thickness, patterns and the parameters of the uterine artery blood flow were detected by TV-CDFI. Results There were significant differences between the conception and non-conception group, and between the combined group and the HMG group in endometrial thickness, patterns and the parameters of the uterne artery blood flow on the day of HCG injection(P

Objective: To identify the mutation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) and analyze the clinical characteristics of a Chinese family with long ST syndrome (LQTS). Methods: The electrocardiogram and DNA samples were obtained from a Chinese LQTS family of 26 members. Genotype was performed with polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers at the known LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 loci. SSCP analysis was used to find aberrant conformers. hERG mutation was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Results: Three gene carriers were linked to chromosome 7q35-36, where the potassium channel gene hERG was encoded. A 19-base pair deletion was identified. The mutation was located at nucleotide position 1619-1637 between transmembrane domains S4 and S5. Furthermore, A1692G polymorphism was found both in the normal control and patients. Conclusion: A novel 19 bp deletion mutation of hERG is identified in a Chinese family. All gene carriers are demonstrated to be typical LQT2 ECG phenotype.

Objective: To identify the mutation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) and analyze the clinical characteristics of a Chinese family with long ST syndrome (LQTS). Methods: The electrocardiogram and DNA samples were obtained from a Chinese LQTS family of 26 members. Genotype was performed with polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers at the known LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 loci. SSCP analysis was used to find aberrant conformers. hERG mutation was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Results: Three gene carriers were linked to chromosome 7q35-36, where the potassium channel gene hERG was encoded. A 19-base pair deletion was identified. The mutation was located at nucleotide position 1619-1637 between transmembrane domains S4 and S5. Furthermore, A1692G polymorphism was found both in the normal control and patients. Conclusion: A novel 19 bp deletion mutation of hERG is identified in a Chinese family. All gene carriers are demonstrated to be typical LQT2 ECG phenotype.

Objective: To evaluate an innovative surgical approach for submandibular gland resection with minimal invasive incision. Methods:With cutaneous incision of 30 mm in the submandibular area, six patients with chronic sialadenitis of submandibular gland were treated with this approach. Anterior facial vein and facial artery were maintained without ligation. Results:The operation time is ranged from 40 to 80 minutes. There were no facial nerve injuries. Furthermore, the surgical stigmata was minimized. Conclusion:The modified minimal incision for submandibular gland resection has less wound and better cosmesis.