Objective To apply a hand function laserimager to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hand dysfunction after stroke. Meth-ods From January to June, 2016, 18 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction were divided into control group (n=9) and acupuncture group (n=9). The control group received routine medication and rehabilitation, while the acupuncture group received acupuncture in addi-tion. They were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of upper limb motor function and modified Bathel Index (MBI) before and after three-week treatment, while the region of interest (ROI) of their hands was tested with the hand func-tion laserimager. Results The scores of MAS and FMA improved after treatment in both groups (t>4.44, P<0.01), and improved in the score of MBI in the acupuncture group (t=3.95, P<0.01). The scores of MAS, FMA, and MBI improved more in the acupuncture group than in the control group (t>3.17, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the scores of ROI decreased in the affected hands after treatment (t>7.78, P<0.001), and de-creased more in the acupuncture group than in the control group (t=-2.23, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the scores of ROI of the unaffected hands (t=-0.11, P>0.05) between groups. Conclusion The hand function laserimager, which responds to the blood perfusion of the hand, can be used as a tool to evaluate the hand function.

Animal models of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH),aiming to simulate human characteristics of the disease,have contributed extensively to understanding the pathophysiology of PAH and the investigation of experimental treatments.The classical models include monocrotaline models,chronic hypoxia model and so on,more new models were investigated in recent years.These animal models were not able to perfectly mimic human pathological characteristics of PAH because of the defect in different aspects.In this review,both typical and novel methods of PAH modeling were summarized and evaluated to provide a suitable guidance for the settlement of animal models which can meet human characteristics comprehensively.

Objective To investigate the cytotoxicity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA combined with fusion suicide gene yCDglyTK on human gastric cancer cell line in vitro.MethodsThe gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 was transfeeted with blank plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-) null [pcDNA3.1 (-) group], or VEGF-siRNA expression plasmid pGenesil-shVEGF (SGC7901/shVEGF group),or fusion suicide gene plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-)CV-yCDglyTK (SGC7901/CDTK group),or combined gene plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-)shVEGF-yCDglyTK (SGC7901//shVEGF-CDTK group) with calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs).Un-transfected gastric cells were set as control group.The stable transfected cells were selected by G418.The target gene expression was verified by RT-PCR and Western-blot.After given prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), the biologic characters variation, apoptotic morphology and apoptotic rate of cells in each group were observed through cell growth curve by MTT assays, by-stander effect, Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry.The data was analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software and multiple groups’ comparison was analyzed with LSD test.ResultsFour gastric cancer cells lines transfected with different plasmids were successfully established.The expression of gene yCDglyTK was detected both in SGC7901/CDTK cells and SGC7901/shVEGF-CDTK cells.By MTT assays, the cell growth curve indicated that the A570 value of SGC7901/shVEGF cells, SGC7901/CDTK cells and SGC7901/shVEGF-CDTK cells decreased significantly compared with that of SGC7901 and SGC7901/null cells after a 24-hour 5-FC treatment (P＜0.01).When the percentage of stable gene trasfected SGC7901 cells was 60％, 80％and 100％, the cell relative viability was 13.09％±2.40％, 9.74％±2.83％ and 5.68％±1.03％,respectively. A large number of cells in SGC7901/CDTK and SGC7901/shVEGF-CDTK group appeared typical apoptotic morphology under fluorescence microscope.The result of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rates in SGC7901/shVEG group、 SGC7901/CDTK group and SGC7901/shVEGF-CDTK group were 16.40％ ±4.68％, 57.63％ ± 4.96％ and 69.07％ ± 4.69％,respectively, and there were significant differences compared with control (P＜0.01).Conclusion VEGF siRNA combined with suicide gene can effectively kill gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.Apoptosis induction may be one of the important mechanisms of killing tumor cells.

65 years old) with in-stent restenosis were randomly divided into two groups: cutting balloon(38 cases) and conventional balloon angioplasty(31 cases) group. Quantitative coronary angiography(QCA) and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) were underwent before and immediately after the balloon inflation. Within 6-months clinical and angiographic follow-up, clinical improvements and QCA results were recorded. himary end points included myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) and revascularization. Results The procedural success rate was 100% in both groups. One patient in cutting balloon experienced dissection in the site distal to stent. Average follow-up time was (6.7?0.3) months. The angiographic stenosis rates at the 3- and 6-month in cutting balloon group were markedly lower than that in conventional balloon group(15% and 38% vs 18% and 43%, respectivelly, P

Objective To investigate the efficacy of intratympanic methylprednisolone perfusion (IMP) for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL ) which failed to be fully responsive to conventional treatment .Methods The hearing outcomes of 87 patients with unilateral SSNHL were retrospectively analyzed .All of the patients received IMP after not fully responsive to conventional treatment of varying periods of time .They were hospitalized in our department between January 2008 and December 2012 and were followed up for at least one year to exclude recurrent hearing loss .Results The effective rate was 66 .67% and the mean PTA improvement was (18 .53 ± 13 .54)dB of the patients with the time interval between onset of symptoms and IMP within 15 days , 21 .21% and (5 .92 ± 15 .18)dB of the patients with the interval between 16 and 30 days ,4 .76% and (3 .69 ± 7 .00) dB of the patients with the interval more than 30 days respectively .The significant difference in the effective rates were compared among the three groups(χ2 =25 .91 ,P<0 .01) .Regarding to the PTA improvement ,the group with interval within 15 days was better than the other two groups(F=11 .182 ,P<0 .01) .A total of 30 cases acquired more than 15 dB hearing gain after IMP .One of them was hearing loss in low frequencies and the other 29 cases were hearing loss at all frequencies .The mean hearing gains of the 29 cases in 0 .25 kHz ,0 .5 kHz ,1 kHz ,2 kHz , 4 kHz and 8 kHz were 35 .17 ± 18 .15 dB ,35 .38 ± 15 .90 dB ,31 .28 ± 19 .74 dB ,21 .31 ± 17 .34 dB ,14 .97 ± 16 .00 dB and 13 .80 ± 16 .35 dB ,respectively .The mean hearing gains at lower three frequencies (0 .25~1 kHz)were better than those at higher three frequencies (2 k~8 kHz)(F=9 .494 ,P<0 .01) .Conclusion Receiving IMP earlier might help to acquire better hearing gain for the patients with SSNHL after not fully responsive to conventional treat‐ments .The hearing gains at the lower frequencies were better than those at the higher frequencies after IMP .

The antiEGFR monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab have been proven to be efficient in MCRC. The degree of EGFR expression (as confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis) did not correhte with the clinical response. In this review, we describe the current status of markers that might identify patients who are likely to benefit from treatment with cetuximab or panitumumab. These molecular markers include KRAS mutations, EGFR copy number, EGFR ligands (EGF, epiregulin), cyclin DI, IgG FcγR (FCGR2A-HI31R and FCGR3A-V158F), and nuclear factor-κB, that are crucial to avoid anti-EGFR treatment toxicity and reduce treatment cost.

12E7 Antigen ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; pathology ; Carcinosarcoma ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Ureter ; surgery ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term effects of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) on heamodynamic changes and cardiac structure and function in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients.

METHODSData were collected from 50 non-diabetic hemodialysis patients (aged 18 to 60 years) who had used AVF as the vascular access. AVF flow (Qa), stoke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), central blood volume (CBV) and peripheral vascular resistance (PR) were measured using the ultrasound dilution technique. Echocardiography was performed in the second day after hemodialysis sessions to evaluate the influence of AVF on the cardiac structure and function.

RESULTSThe cubic polynomial regression model best fit the relationships of Qa with SV, CO, and CI. CO and CI significantly increased and PR reduced when the Qa of AVF was more than 2.0 L/min(all P<0.05), and no statistical difference of CO, CI and PR in groups of Qa between 0.6-2.0 L/min and less than 0.6 L/min(all P>0.05). In different Qa groups, the grades of cardiac function (based on New York Heart Association classification) showed significant difference, among which the cardiac failure was significantly common when Qa >2.0 L/min(both P<0.05). Echocardiography showed the left atrium dimension, thickness of posterior wall and interventricular seprum of left ventricle, left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), venae cava inferior, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure gradually increased when Qa increased, while the ejection fraction and fractional shortening reduced(all P<0.05). Notably, the changes of LVESD, LVEDD, and venae cava inferior with different Qa were statistically significant(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLong-term AVF remarkably affects the cardiovascular dynamics of non-diabetic hemodialysis patients. A cubic polynomial regression model best fits the relationship of AVF Qa with SV, CO, and CI. The cardiac adaptic changes after long-term AVF include the enlargement of left ventricle and the thickening of ventricular wall. The risk of cardiac failure significantly increases when the Qa of AVF is more than 2.0 L/min with much higher CO and lower PR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Renal Dialysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo prospectively determinate the association of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function with intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

METHODSTotally 115 patients with sinus rhythm were included in this study and divided into IDH group (n=29) and control group (n=86). The cardiac function was assessed by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification before hemodialysis. Echocardiograms were performed in the next day after hemodialysis and the software of GE EchoPAC was used to estimate parameters of cardiac systolic and diastolic functions including ejection fraction, fractional shortening of left ventricular diameter, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), left ventricular mass index, Tei index, isovolumetric relaxation time, E-deceleration time, mitral inflow peak early diastolic velocity (E) to late diastolic velocities (A) ratio, and E to peak mitral annulus velocity (E/Em) ratio.

RESULTSThe mean age (p=0.045) and the ratio of heart failure evaluated by the NYHA classification (p<0.01) were significantly higher in IDH group than those in control group. No difference was noted for gender, body mass index, duration of dialysis, body weight elevated rate and blood pressure between these two groups (all p>0.05). Left ventricular diameters at the end of diastolic phase, SV, and CO in IDH group were significantly lower than those in control group (all P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was found for EF, FS, Tei index, IVRT, EDT, E/A and E/Em ratio (all p>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NYHA cardiac function was an independent predictor of IDH, and the risk of IDH increased by 1.134 times with incremental one grade of NYHA classification.

CONCLUSIONSIDH is a common complication of hemodialysis. Neither systolic dysfunction nor diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle evaluated in second day after hemodialysis affects its frequency, whereas the clinical cardiac function is an independent predictor of IDH.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypotension ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the expression of Bcl-2,Bax and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis and the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-?1 vaccine on them.Methods Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 3 groups,named healthy control group(n=10),hepatic fibrosis group(n=10) and TGF-?1 vaccine treated group(n=10).The animal model with hepatic fibrosis was established by injecting solution dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) into abdominal cavity with concentration as 0.5% and dose as 0.2 mL/ 100 g.In TGF-?1 vaccine treated group,every rat was not only injected with DMN but also 150?g TGF-?1 vaccine protein.On the 42nd day,all rats were sacrificed.Then the blood and the liver tis- sues were collected.The expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax and PCNA in liver tissues were detected by S -P immunohistochemistry and observed by routine pathological evaluation.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and albumin(Alb) were determined by auto biochemical analytical tool.Serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA),laminin(LN) were detected by radioimmunoas- say (RIA).Results The expression of Bax,which promoted apoptosis,directly correlated with pathological grade in liver of rats,while the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax,which protected a gainst apoptosis,inversely correlated with pathological grade in liver of rats.The expression levels of TGF-?1 and Bax in healthy control group were significantly lower than those of fibrosis group,how ever,the expression levels of Bcl-2 were comparable between these two groups.As compared with fi- brosis group,the expression of TGF-?1 was significantly lower while the expression of Bcl-2 was sig nificantly higher in TGF-?1 vaccine treated group.However,the expression of Bax was comparable between these two groups.The expression level of PCNA of fibrosis group was significantly higher than that of healthy control group but dramatically lower than that of TGF-?1 vaccine treated group (Both P