Objective To study the damage of rat articular cartilage induced by different doses of T-2 toxin, and to explore the relationship between mini-dose T-2 toxin and articular cartilage damage. Methods A total of 120 Wistar rats, weighing 50 - 70 g, were randomly divided into four groups according to their body weights: T-2 toxin group 0(control), 100, 200, 300 μg/kg, 30 rats in each group. Animals in the control group were fed standard rat chow, and animals in the three T-2 toxin groups were fed T-2-toxin-contaminated chow (the dose was 100, 200, 300 μg/kg, respectively). After 6 months, rats were euthanized by ether asphyxiation. The bilateral knee joints were collected and section prepared. The articular cartilage was examined by light and electronic microscope. Results Light microscope showed, the rat articular chondrocytes were clear and arranged orderliness in the control group. The rat articular chondrocytes were disarranged in 100 μg/kg T-2 toxin group.Degeneration and necrosis were found in 200 μg/kg group. Chondrocytes were shrunken with hypereosinophilia cytoplasm and fragmented pyknotic nuclei, extensive areas of chondrocyte loss and chondrocyte clones were visible in 300 μg/kg group. Scanning electronic micrograph(SEM) showed, the rat articular chondrocytes were clear, well formed and arranged tidy in the control group. The surface of articular cartilage was rough in 100 μg/kg group.Collagen fasciculi ruptured and stacked up in 200 μg/kg group. Presented a typical articular dryness phenomenon,the cartilage surface collapsed and many pits appeared in 300 μg/kg group. Transmission electronic microscope (TEM) showed that chondrocytes were abundant with cytoplasm, well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum in the control group; agglomerate chromatin scattered along the karyotheca, nuclear membrane was thickening, with vacuolar degeneration of the endoplasmic reticulum in the 100 μg/kg group; endoplasmic reticulum expended, with protein retention and organelles breaks in the 200 μg/kg group. A large number of chondrocytes lost organdles, the membrane structures disrupted and the cartilage matrix stromatolyzed in the 300 μg/kg group. Conclusions Within the range of 100 - 300 μg/kg, T-2 toxin induces dose-related articular cartilage injury, the greater the dose, the more serious damage.

Animals ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pain ; etiology ; Pain Measurement ; Temporomandibular Joint ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVETo improve a better method to achieve the upper arm's circumferential harmony by using adjacent aesthetic unit combined upper arm liposuction.

METHODSLiposuction of upper arm, axilla and part of the scapula area was performed on 88 cases at one stage from January 2007 to March 2013.

RESULTSAll the cases achieve satisfactory results. The circumferential curve is smooth and elegant. No severe complication happened.

CONCLUSIONSThis method proved to be safe and effective and can be accomplished in one stage.

Adult ; Arm ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Axilla ; Esthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; methods

Purpose To evaluate renal function recovery state with color Doppler ultrasound before and after ultrasonic pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy under percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Materials and Methods 79 patients with 81 kidneys with upper urinary tract stones underwent ultrasonic pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy under percutaneous nephrolithotomy, renal parenchymal thickness, renal collecting system separation degree and renal arterial resistance index (RI) were measured with color Doppler ultrasound before and after the operation, subjects were divided into renal dysfunction group (both preoperative and postoperative GFR <20 ml/min, the difference <20 ml/min), renal function significantly improved group (postoperative GFR greater than preoperative, the difference>20 ml/min), renal function significantly impaired group (postoperative GFR less than preoperative GFR, the difference>20 ml/min) and no significant improvement group (both preoperative and postoperative GFR were >20 ml/min, the difference <20 ml/min) according to the preoperative and postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) difference. Renal parenchymal thickness, renal collecting system separation degree and renal artery RI of each group were compared, and their correlation with GFR was analyzed. Results Statistically significant differences (F=129.750, 110.953, 45.411, 18.530, 18.904, 12.565, 27.291, 24.263; P<0.05) were detected in all the four groups between preoperative and postoperative renal parenchymal thickness, renal collecting system separation degree, interlobar renal artery (IRA) and main renal artery (MRA) RI. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.916, P<0.05) between renal parenchymal thickness and pre-and post-lithotripsy GFR, and a significant negative correlation (r=-0.886,-0.903,-0.923;P<0.05) between renal collecting system separation degree, IRA and MRA RI with pre-and post-lithotripsy GFR. The sensitivity and specificity were 93.4%and 97.3%, respectively when taking renal parenchymal thickness<0.32 cm, renal collecting system separation degree >4.27 cm, IRA RI and MRA RI>0.8 as diagnostic standard for kidney dysfunction; and the sensitivity and specificity were 87.4% and 85.7%respectively when taking IRA RI<0.72 as diagnostic standard for renal function improvement. Conclusion Renal parenchymal thickness <0.32 cm, renal collecting system separation degree >4.27 cm, IRA and MRA RI >0.8, and IRA RI <0.72 can be regarded as clinical reference standard for renal function prognosis of kidney dysfunction and hypo-functional before conducting ultrasonic pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy under percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients.

METHODSNinety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSAfter six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.

Acupuncture Therapy ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prognosis ; Sepsis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; therapy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives

Objective To explore the relationship between the rs3785143 polymorphism of norepinephrine transporter gene,and investigate the influence of interaction effect between NET gene polymorphism and childhood abuse in adolescents with violent behavior.Methods Adolescent male offenders were divided into violent group (124 samples) and nonviolent group (120 samples).The rs3785143 polymorphisms of NET gene were measured by used SNaPshot SNP technology in 244 samples.Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution difference between three groups of each gene type and the allele frequency distribution.Results ①There was no statistically significant difference among violent group and nonviolent group in the genotype and allele frequencies of rs3785143 polymorphism (x2=0.753,0.022; all P＞0.05).②64.5％ violent adolescents have experience of childhood abuse,and 35.5％ had no history of abuse ;48.3％ nonviolent adolescents have experience of childhood abuse,and 51.7％ had no history of abuse(x2=6.50,P＜0.05).③There was not significant interaction between NET gene polymorphism and childhood abuse((OR=0.386,P＞0.05) 95％ CI (0.457-4.739)).Conclusions The NET gene polymorphism is not associated with violent behavior in male adolescents,and there was not interaction between NET gene polymorphism and childhood abuse.

Objective To explore the relationship between the rs1611115 and rs739398 polymorphism of dopamine-β-hydroxy-lase genes and violent behavior in adolescents .Methods Adolescent male offenders were divided into violent group (107 samples) and nonviolent group (107 samples) .Besides ,107 male adolescents in vocational school were served as normal controls .The rs1611115 and rs739398 polymorphisms of DβH gene were measured by used SNaPshot SNP technology in 321 samples .Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution difference between three groups of each gene type and the allele frequency distribution . Results There was statistically significant difference among violent group ,nonviolent group and normal control group in the geno-type and allele frequencies of DβH gene rs1611115 polymorphism(P<0 .05) ,but there was no statistically significant difference be-tween violent group and nonviolent group(P>0 .05) .There was no statistically significant difference among violent group ,nonvio-lent group and normal control group in the genotype and allele frequencies of rs739398 polymorphism(P>0 .05) .Conclusion No association was found between the rs739398 polymorphism of DβH gene and adolescents with violent behavior .But the rs1611115 polymorphism of DβH gene was related to adolescent criminals with violent and nonviolent behavior .

Objective To investigate the effect of liver cirrhosis on the potency of propofol for sedation in rats. Methods Fifty-eight male SD rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (group C, n = 18), mild liver cirrhosis group (group M1, n =20) and severe liver cirrhosis group (group M2, n = 20). The model of liver cirrhosis was established using four factors described by Chen et al. After successful establishment of the model, propofol was injected intravenously. The dose of propofol was determined by up-and-down sequential method for loss of righting reflex. The dose of propofol was 5.912 mg/kg in the first rat and the ratio of the doses between the two consecutive rats was 0.85. ED50 of propofol was calculated using up-and-down sequential method. Results ED50 of propofol was significantly lower in group M1 and M2 than in group C and in group M2 than in group M1 ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). Conclusion The liver cirrhosis can enhance the potency of propofol for sedation in rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture on acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 patients who were diagnosed as AHF were assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, 30 in each group. Those in the control group received inotropic agents, preload and afterload reducing therapy, anti-infection and so on. Besides, those in the acupuncture group received needling at relative points, once daily for 5 consecutive days. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SI), left ventricle working index (LCWI) were monitored by thermodilution pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique. Changes of the aforesaid data were compared between before and after treatment. The ICU length of stay, readmission rate,and the 28-day mortality were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 5 days of the treatment, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously (P < 0.01), HR and MAP decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Of them, CI, SI, and LCWI increased more obviously in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).There was no obvious difference in HR or MAP between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the first day of admission in the same group, CI, SI, and LCWI obviously increased in the acupuncture group from the second day (P < 0.05). HR started to decrease since the fourth day (P < 0.05), and MAP began to decrease until the fifth day (P < 0.05). CI, SI, and LCWI started to increase in the control group from the third day (P < 0.05); HR and MAP both began to decrease since the fifth day (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the ICU length of stay was obviously shortened in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The readmission rate and the 28-day mortality rate were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of acupuncture and Western medical therapy might strengthen acute heart failure patients' heart functions, elevate the therapeutic effect, and improve the prognosis.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke Volume

Objective To explore the risk factom of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.Methods One hundred and fifty-eight cases hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis were selected.According to whether complicated with liver failure,the patients were divided into observation group with 62 cases (complicated with liver failure group) and control group with 96 cases (without liver failure group).The clinical data and results of 2 groups were analyzed to screen the risk factors of liver failure.Results Compared with control group,observation group in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,cholinesterase,total bilirubin,and prothrombin time,activated partial thrombin time live enzymes,thrombin time,fibrinogen,serum creatinine,the differences were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05);in albumin ((28.02±7.36) g/L vs.(23.26±6.54) g/L,t =4.421,P =0.002),serum urea nitrogen ((8.84±4.71) mmol/L vs.(9.33±5.24) mmol/L,t =3.656,P=0.007),upper gastrointestinal bleeding(x2 =7.534,P=0.006),ascites (x2 =8.615,P =0.003),infection (x2 =10.321,P =0.001),hepatic encephalopathy (x2 =6.561,P =0.010),hepatorenal syndrome(x2 =4.952,P=0.026),the difference were statistically significant.(2)The results of logistic regression analysis showed that upper gastrointestinal bleeding (OR =1.020,95％ CI:1.003-1.036),hepatorenal syndrome(OR=2.872,95％CI:0.385-21.423) were risk factor of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.Conclusion Upper gastrointestinal bleeding,hepatorenal syndrome are independent risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.