90 without intestinal canal whirl sign was used as the diagnostic standard for whirl sign.Two experienced physicians evaluated the mesenteric vessel whirl sign and its morphological characteristics(including its site,rotation direction,rotation angle,distance between the start and end points of rotating vessels,and rotation radius) and associated signs.The difference in characteristics of whirl sign was compared between volvulus and non-volvulus patients.Results Mesenteric vessel whirl sign was found in 72 out of the 626 patients,including 64(10.4% ) in volvulus group and 8(88.9% ) in non-volvulus group.Mesenteric vessel whirl sign was complicated by intestinal canal whirl sign in 8 volvulus patients,complicated by superior mesenteric artery stricture in 6 volvulus patients.Mesenteric vessel whirl sign complicated by intestinal canal whirl sign was observed in only 2 non-volvulus patients with no superior mesenteric artery stricture.A difference in rotation angle and the start and end points of rotating vessels was found between the two groups(P

AIM To observe the clinical effects and safety of Zibei Zhike Granules (Asteris Radix et Rhizoma,Ardisiae japonicae Herba,Fritiliariae cirrhosae Bulbus,etc.) for acute broncho-bronchitis with remained toxicity lingering lung.METHODS A multi-center,randomized,double-blinded,double-simulation and positive drug parallel controlled trial was adopted.Two hundred and forty cases of patients with the 1 ∶ 1 ratio were assigned to treatment and control group.The treatment group were treated with Zibei Zhike Granules and the control group were treated with Zikebao Tablets (Asteris Radix et Rhizoma,Citri rubrum exocarpium,Platycodi Radix,etc.).The treatment course lasted five days.RESULTS The total effective rate of acute broncho-bronchitis in the treatment group was 73.04％,and 54.78％ in the control group.There was statistical significance between the total effective rate of the two groups (P ＜ 0.01).The total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome in the treatment group was 73.91％ and 60.86％ in the control group,and there was statistical significance between the total effective rate of the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).The treatment group showed better clinical effects in improving individual symptoms of cough and spitting sputum.CONCLUSION Zibei Zhike Granules has good clinical effects on acute broncho-bronchitis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression level of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type-1 (CRHR-1) in intrahepatic cholestatic placental (ICP) tissue.

METHODSHuman placental samples were collected from 10 ICP patients and 10 healthy controls after parturition at 37-40 weeks of gestation. CRHR-1 protein and mRNA expression was assessed by western blotting and nested-real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. Normally distributed data were summarized as mean +/- standard deviation, and intergroup comparisons were made by two-tailed Student's t-test. Non-normally distributed data were presented as median with interquartile range, and intergroup comparisons were made by Wilcoxon test. For all statistical analyses, a two-tailed P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe CRHR-1 fluorescence intensity was lower in ICP tissues (1.55 +/- 0.28) than in placental tissues from healthy controls (1.60 +/- 0.37), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (t = 0.349, P = 0.732). The CRHR-1 mRNA content was slightly higher in the ICP tissues [0.139(0.268)] than in the placental tissues from healthy controls [0.031(0.245)], but the difference did not reach statistical significance (t = 1.504, P = 0.136).

CONCLUSIONCRHR-1 expression is decreased in ICP tissues, which may lead to a smaller volume of placental lobular villi vessels and restrict the CRH positive feedback loop, ultimately promoting acute hypoxic stress and possible harm to the fetus.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; metabolism ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; metabolism ; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism

Objective To investigate whether the effect of puerarin on right ventricle hypertrophy of pulmonary hypertensive rats induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia was related to new peptide Apelin or its receptor(APJ).Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, they are control group,hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week model group,and hypoxia-hypercapnia 4-week plus puerarin group.The concentrations of Apelin-36 protein in plasma and homogenate of right ventricular muscle were detected by radioimmunoassay.The mRNA expressions of Apelin and APJ in right ventricu- lar muscle were measured by semi-quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results The weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum[RV/(LV+S)] in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P0.05).The plasma concen- tration of Apelin-36 protein in model group was significantly higher than that in control group(P

OBJECT: To obtain values of normal human lung and diffuse pathological changes, in order to provide a simple and convenient diagnostic method for measuring human visceral organs in the autopsy of pathology and forensic pathology. METHODS: The exact mass, volume and density of normal and pathological lung were synchronously measured with the intelligentized volume-densimeter made by authors. RESULTS: The date-base about the volume and density of human lung with different races were established for anatomy, anthropology and biodynamics. In two cases of over-load in circulation and water toxicosis, the severe lung edema was proved with the scale of lung density, which was atypical edema in the lung tissue. CONCLUSION Measurement of visceral organs in the autopsy can assist to an integrative pathological diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthropometry/methods* ; Autopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung/pathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; Pulmonary Edema/pathology* ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate HBV mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) gene and precore/basal core promoter (PC/BCP) regions in a chronic hepatitis B patient and to analyze the link between the mutations and drug resistance or HBeAg sero-conversion.

METHODSEighteen serum samples were collected from a chronic hepatitis B patient during his 14 hospitalizations from June 2002 to September 2007. HBV DNA was extracted and nested PCR was employed for amplification of target gene fragments. Direct sequencing of PCR products was performed followed by analysis with NTI software. The significance of the results was analyzed in combination with the clinical data of the patient.

RESULTSSeveral mutations were identified in succession, including LAM-resistant mutations M204I/V and L180M+M204V, ETV-resistant mutation S202G, and HBeAg nonsense mutation G1896A. The results were in accordance with the disease progression of the patient.

CONCLUSIONSequencing of HBV RT and PC/BCP regions is valuable for comprehensively checking the viral mutations and thus it is helpful in the surveillance of patients in clinics as a way for adopting reasonable antiviral therapy.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral ; genetics ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo discuss the longterm quality-of-life related to swallowing function after different partial laryngectomy.

METHODSThe worldwide known swallow quality-of-life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL, Hongkong, Chinese edition); was used in this research to evaluate the swallowing QOL on 96 postoperative patients who underwent different kinds of partial laryngectomy more than one year before. The patients were divided into 4 groups: supracricoid partial laryngectomy-cricohyoidopexy (SCPL-CHP), supracricoid partial laryngectomy-cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (SCPL-CHEP), horizontal supraglottic partial laryngectomy (horizontal PL), and vertical partial laryngectomy (vertical PL).

RESULTSA one-way MANOVA revealed a significant multivariate (the 11 scales of SWAL-QOL) main effect for groups (P < 0.01), and significant univariate main effects were obtained for groups in 9 scales out of 11 (P < 0.01). In all the 9 scales vertical PL group acquired near full scores except the communication scale, and was significantly higher than the other 3 groups in many scales (P < 0.05). CHP group acquired the worst scores of the 4 groups, showing significant differences in most of the 9 scales (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between Horizontal PL and CHEP except in communication (P > 0.05). Patients with deglutition disorders (choke/cough) had a lower score in the social function scale.

CONCLUSIONSSwallowing quality-of-life of postoperative patients was deeply influenced even when more than one year had passed after surgery. Some of them felt deeply burdened by deglutition disorder. Patients after CHP proved to have a worst quality of life than the others, while vertical PL the best. The QOL between Horizontal PL and CHEP was shown to be almost the same. The influence over QOL from longterm dysphagia was multi-dimensional, containing the degeneration of social function.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture at acupoints selected according to rehabilitation medical theory on upper limb spasticity in the patient of poststroke.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and an electro-stimulation group, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated by acupuncture at the contralateral scalp motor region of the affected limb, Jiquan (HT 1), Chize (LU 5), Daling (PC 7) on the flexor side and Jianyu (LI 15), Tianjing (TE 10), Yangchi (TE 4) on the extensor muscle side of the affected limb; the electro-stimulation group were treated by electric stimulation. The two groups also were treated with necessary medical treatment and anti-spasm rehabilitation motor training. The course was 3 weeks. Modified Ashworth Scale for muscle spasm (MAS), modified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for upper limb motor function, and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for ability of daily living were used for assessment of the therapeutic effect.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the spasm was significantly alleviated, the motor function of the upper limb and daily living ability were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the two groups; after treatment, BMI scores in the acupuncture group was very significantly superior to that in the electro-stimulation group. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the acupuncture group and 86.7% in the electro-stimulation group, with no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONProper acupuncture is an effective method for upper limb spasm in the patient of poststroke, and the therapeutic effect is better for mild-moderate spasm of the upper limb.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity ; therapy ; Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVETo study the role of apelin in the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia in rats.

METHODSThe animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the rats to isobaric hypoxic chamber for 4 weeks (8 h/d, 6 d/ w). Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (NC), hypoxic group(HH), hypoxic with low-dose apelin (5 nmol/(kg x d) group(LA) and high-dose apelin (10 nmol/(kg x d) (HA). [pGlu]apelin-13 was administered into the rats of apelin groups by mini-osmotic pump subcutaneously. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) and the mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP) were measured by either right or left cardiac catheterization, and the weight ratio of right ventricule/left ventricule plus septum (RV/(LV + S)) were calculated. The Masson's trichrome stained lung specimens were examined by light microscope to examine the vessel wall area/total area (WA/TA), vessel cavity area/total area (CA/TA) and media thickness of pulmonary arterioles (PAMT). Meanwhile, the lung homogenates were assayed for the activity of supeeroxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA).

RESULTS(1) mPAP and RV/(LV + S) of HH group were significantly higher than those of NC group. mPAP of LA and HA groups were lower than those of HH group. The RV/(LV + S) of HA group was significantly lower than that of HH group, but there was no significant difference between HH group and LA group. (2) Masson's trichrome staining revealed that WA/TA and PAMT of HH group were higher than those of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly eliminated WA/TA and PAMT in LA and HA groups. (3) CA/TA of HH group was lower than that of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly elevated CA/TA in LA and HA groups. (4) The activity of SOD and content of MDA in HH group was, respectively, lower and higher than those in NC group. Apelin treatment increased the activity of SOD in LA and HA groups while decreased the content of MDA.

CONCLUSIONSApelin could play an important role in treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension of rats and the mechanisms of protection were associated with vasodilation of pulmonary artery and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilation ; drug effects