Asthma ; immunology ; virology ; Bronchiolitis, Viral ; complications ; immunology ; virology ; Child ; Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; complications ; genetics ; immunology ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo observe the preconditioning cardioprotection of atorvastatin (ATV) in rabbits underwent 40 min ischemia and 240 min reperfusion and to explore related mechanisms.

METHODSThe rabbits were randomized divided into Control group, ATV group (10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 3 days before ischemia), ATV plus iNOS inhibitor S-methylisothiourea sulfate group (ATV + SMT group), SMT group, ATV plus mito K(ATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate group (ATV + 5-HD group) and 5-HD group (n = 16 each group). The infarction size, CK-MB, LDH-1, nitric oxide synthase and mitochondrial ATP synthesization capacity ([ATP] m) were determined at the end of reperfusion.

RESULTSInfarction size, CK-MB, LDH-1 were decreased by 26.3%, 31.4%, 19.1% and iNOS, [ATP] m increased by 102.6%, 46.8% post ATV compared to control group (all P < 0.05) and these effects could be blocked by cotreatment with SMT and 5-HD except the iNOS was not affected by 5-HD.

CONCLUSIONThe atorvastatin preconditioning exerted cardioprotection by upregulating iNOS and activating mito K(ATP).

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heptanoic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Up-Regulation

Objective To study CD64 expression in neutrophilic granulocyte and its clinical effect in neonatal infection disease. Methods CD64 was detected among 59 neonatal patients(septicemia group 34 patients, local infection group 25 patients)hospitalized in our neonatal department diagnosed as neonatal infection disease in 48 h after hospitalized,2 weeks after therapy, then the results were compared with 27 patients as non - infection disease during the same period. Results CD64 in septicemia group was (6156. 21?3643. 32) molecula per cell,in local infection group was (2176.19 ? 946. 32)molecula per cell, in non- infection group was (2176. 19 ? 946. 32) molecula per cell.There were significant differences among three groups (all P0.05). Conclusions CD64 expression increases in bacterium infection disease. It is more obvious in widespread infection desease.and it can be the mark in early diagnosis of neonatal infection disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effect and action mechanism of regulating spleen-stomach needling on diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSUsing multi-centric, randomized, controlled and blind principles, 144 cases of DN were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random digital tab, 72 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment of diabetes, the regulating spleen-stomach needling was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Xuehai (SP 10), etc. in the observation group while Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected in the control group by reference of Acupuncture and moxibustion. The treatment was given twice a day, six days as a treatment session with interval of one day between sessions. Totally six weeks were required. Changes of clinical symptoms and signs, fast blood glucose (FBG), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), lymphocyte membrane cholesterol, propanediol (MDA), PCO, 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were observed before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSAs for improving clinical symptoms and signs, total effective rate was 84.29% (59/70) in the observation group and 55.56% (40/72) in the control group, which had statistical difference between two groups (P<0.01). As for regulating glycometabolism [(6.25 +/- 0.32) mmol/L vs (8.09 +/- 0.63) mmol/L], reducing UAER [(154.43 +/- 55.14) mg/24h vs (268.91 +/- 77.65) mg/24h], restraining over-expression of MCP-1 [(137.59 +/- 36.15) pg/mL vs (166.89 +/- 42.82) pg/mL], regulating level of oxidative stress, prohibiting oxidation of protein and adjusting quantity and activity of T lymphocyte subgroup, the observation group was superior to the control group (P< 0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe regulating spleen-stomach needling is an effective method for treatment of DN, which cold improve glycometabolism disturbance-induced progressive kidney injury, recover glomerular filtration, reduce urinary albumin excretion rate, restrain overexpression of MCP-1, adjust level of oxidative stress, prohibit oxidation of protein, increase protectiveness of membrane, adjust quantity and activity abnormity of T lymphocyte subgroup, leading to repairing lymphocyte damage and improving immune expression to delay kidney damage.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Stomach ; physiopathology

Purpose: This study sought to understand Taiwanese women’s decisional experiences regarding prenatal screening procedures and diagnostics. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological design guided semistructured interviews with 33 women who were 36 weeks pregnant. Data were collected between February and October 2016. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed following hermeneutic circle to cocreate an understanding of Taiwanese women’s decision-making in prenatal screening and diagnostics. Results: Women’s existential experiences were derived from their decision-making process on prenatal screening procedures and diagnostics for chromosomal aneuploidy. These decisional experiences were captured by four theme clusters and eight themes, which were inductively derived from 16 meaning units: (1) accessing health information; (2) considering what was best for my baby; (3) considering family finance; and (4) feeling anxiety posttest. Conclusion Participants made informed choices on several prenatal screening procedures, ostensibly, based on their personal values and considerations. During the decision-making process, often-cited benefits of genetic screenings were emphasized, but test limitations were often unheeded. A fundamental need for supportive information in decision making was further identified with recommended strategies. Hence, a revision of traditional genetic counseling approaches is recommended. As genomics technologies are increasingly available during antenatal services, women should be sufficiently educated about them to support decision making.

Purpose: This study sought to understand Taiwanese women’s decisional experiences regarding prenatal screening procedures and diagnostics. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological design guided semistructured interviews with 33 women who were 36 weeks pregnant. Data were collected between February and October 2016. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed following hermeneutic circle to cocreate an understanding of Taiwanese women’s decision-making in prenatal screening and diagnostics. Results: Women’s existential experiences were derived from their decision-making process on prenatal screening procedures and diagnostics for chromosomal aneuploidy. These decisional experiences were captured by four theme clusters and eight themes, which were inductively derived from 16 meaning units: (1) accessing health information; (2) considering what was best for my baby; (3) considering family finance; and (4) feeling anxiety posttest. Conclusion Participants made informed choices on several prenatal screening procedures, ostensibly, based on their personal values and considerations. During the decision-making process, often-cited benefits of genetic screenings were emphasized, but test limitations were often unheeded. A fundamental need for supportive information in decision making was further identified with recommended strategies. Hence, a revision of traditional genetic counseling approaches is recommended. As genomics technologies are increasingly available during antenatal services, women should be sufficiently educated about them to support decision making.

Objective To observe the therapeutic response of liver tumors by arterial embolization hyperthermia with Nano Superparamagnetic Iodized Oil(NSIO)using rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.Methods A total 24 rabbits containing experimental hepatic tumors were randomly assigned to one of four groups as follows:NSIO embolization hyperthermia group(group A),Lipidol embolization group(group B),NSIO embolization group(group C),and contronl group(group D),each groups contain 6 VX2 rabbits.Fourteen days after implantation of the experimental hepatic tumor,VX2 rabbits were treated.In group A group B and group C,the rabbits hepatic proper artery were selectively catheterized by 3 Fr microcatheters via right femoral artery under fluoroscopic guidance.10% NSIO 0.5 ml(group A and group C)or Lipidol 0.5 ml(group B)infused into proper hepatic artery.Three days after embolization,the rabbits in group A and group B were exposed to gap-type alternating magnetic field for 30 minutes,while rabbits in group C and group D have not been exposed to alternating magnetic field.The liver tumor size were measured by CT scanning before and 14 days after treatment then the animals were sacrificed,the liver,lung,heart spleen and kidney were harvested for histopathology examination,the liver tumor size were detected directly. Results All subjects experienced uneventful 14 days surivials,on the biochemical examination,there were no changes about the function of liver and renal in each group 14 days after treatment compare to pre- treatment.Fourteen days after treatment,the tumor size decreased by 8.09% in group A,but increased by 9.72% and 13.00%(P＜0.05)in group B and group C respectively,in group D,the tumor size increased by 57.50%(P＜0.01).In histopathology examination,the tumor necrosis in three treatment groups were manifest,particular in group A.Conclusion Arterial embolization hyperthermia with NSIO has obvious therapeutic response to experimental hepatic tumors,it encourages further development of this technology for the treatment of liver cancer in humans.

Objective　To study the relationship between atherosclerotic plaques in carotid artery and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Methods　The extracranial carotid arteries (ECA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) of 54 patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or cerebral infarction (CI) were examined with doppler ultrasound. The distribution of atherosclerotic plaque, degree of stenosis and ultrasounic classification of ECA and the mean velocity of blood flow in MCA were examined. Results　①Stenosis over middle-grade on asymptomatic side in extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) in group of patients with TIA was significantly higher than symptomatic side(P<0.01). Stenosis over high-grade on asymptomatic side in ELCA in group of patients with CI was significantly higher than symptomatic side (P<0.01). ②Flat and soft plaque are most common in group of patients with TIA or CI, then are hard and ulcerative plaques. Incidence of soft plaques on asymptomatic side in group of patients with TIA or CI are significantly higher than symptomatic side (P<0.01); ③Among the group of patients with CI, mean velocity of MCA decreased on asymptomatic side in 31 cases (68.9%), and significantly higher than symptomatic side (P<0.01). Conclusion　Atheroclerotic plaques in carotid artery and intracranial hemodynamic characteristics are the important risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. These findings have important values in predicting subsequent TIA or CI in asymptomatic subjects.

BACKGROUNDDilation resistance to stenting in non-calcified coronary plaques was compared in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in order to confirm the clinical usefulness of multislice computed tomography in examining coronary plaque type and to provide information pertaining to the effects of plaque type on dilatation resistance.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of 64-slice computed tomography coronary imaging data collected in the month prior to coronary stenting in 93 patients (65 male and 28 female, mean age of (57.22±7.22) years) was conducted. Non-calcified coronary plaques were divided into lipid-rich (lipid content >25% of plaque volume) and fibrous plaques according to the Hammer-Hansen S method: where lipids, fiber, and intraluminal components were indicated by contrast using Hu values of -100-49, 50-129, and >130, respectively. Clinical features, pre-dilatation balloon specifications and filling pressure, and stent size and release pressure were compared.

RESULTSHigh-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were higher in the lipid-rich plaque group. In patients with typical symptoms, unstable angina was more commonly observed in the lipid-rich plaque group. No significant differences in low density lipoprotein, pre-dilatation balloon specifications, pre-dilatation pressure, or stent specifications were observed. Stent release pressure in the lipid-rich plaque group ((1130.16±202.04) kPa), was significantly lower than that observed in the fibrous plaque group ((1240.61±193.29) kPa, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONSofter, lipid-rich plaques exhibit lower dilation resistance during stenting in PCI patients.

C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To find out whether the levels of serum creatinine and urea,creatinine clearance rate and GFR estimated by using different equations correlate with the exact measurement of GFR with ~(99m)Tc-DTPA in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.Methods Renal function was determined by using ~(99m)Tc-DTPA technique in 83 elderly patients aged 65—96 years.Blood and urine tests were done at the same time.Estimated clearance was determined by using the equations of Cockcroft-Gauh,MDRD(modification of diet in renal disease)predigestion and MDRD seventh,and the correlation coefficients between the above parameters and ~(99m)Tc-GFR were determined.Veracity for the diagnosis of renal dysfunction was calculated by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.Results Cockcroft-Gault formula(r=0.833),MDRD predigestion formula(r=0.811), MDRD seventh formula(r=0.803),creatinine(r=-0.672),Ccr(r=0.632),urea(r=-0.612), and albumin(r=0.444)were correlated significantly with ~(99m)Tc-GFR in this sequence.If GFR 30, 40,50,60ml/min were defined respectively as renal impairment thresholds and areas under the curve (AUC)were compared,the best parameter for estimation of GFR was the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Then MDRD predigestion formula and MDRD seventh formula,creatinine and Ccr were less accurate in all different renal dysfunction thresholds.Conclusions The Cockcroft-Gault equation seems to be the best formula available for GFR estimation,the two equations of MDRD are the second,creatinine is the third,Ccr and urea are the last.