ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yishen-Huoxue-Huatan capsule on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT),carotid atherosclerosis plaque area and the level of serum lipids,plasma endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.Methods126 patients with carotid atherosclerotic were randomly assigned to treatment group and control group.Patients in treatment group was treated by yishen huoxue huatan capsule,and patients in control group was treated by zocor.Each patient was treated for 24 weeks.ResultsAfter the treatment,carotid IMT [respectively (0.81±0.11)mm,(1.10± 0.27)mm],atherosclerotic plaque area [respectively (11.21 ± 9.3)mm2,(16.53± 6.9)mm2] in both the treatment group and the control group were significantly lower compared with the same group before treatment (P＜0.05),and the treatment group was better than the control group (P＜0.05); serum cholesterol (TC),respectively [ (4.51 ± 0.37) mmol/L,(5.15 ± 0.20) mmol/L],triglyceride (TG) [respectively ( 1.77± 0.09) mmol/L,(1.79 ± 0.36) mmol/L],high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [respectively (1.28 ± 0.26) mmol/L,(1.27 ±0.36) mmol/L],low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [ (2.50± 0.30) mmol/L,(3.10± 0.39) mmol/L] in the treatment group and the control group were improved significantly (P＜0.05) compared with the same group before treatment,and the TC and LDL-C levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05); plasma ET [respectively (67.26± 14.13) ng/L,(79.38± 11.54)ng/L] NO [respectively (71.65± 111.64)μmol / L,(60.64±14.02)μmol/L] in the treatment group and the control group were higher than those in the same group before treatment (P＜0.05),and the plasma ET levels in the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05),while the plasma NO level was significantly higher(P＜ 0.05).ConclusionYishen-Huoxue-Huatan capsule is effective in the treatment of carotid atheroselerosis.

Objective To study the value of routine laboratory examinations, symptoms and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the flare-prediction on systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Methods A prospective study was performed in 106 outpatients with SLE and the patients′ conditions were assessed according to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index(SLEDAI). Patients were asked to visit at no longer than 3-month interval. All patients were followed-up for 6 to 18 months. At each visit, laboratory examinations, symptoms, disease activity, as well as the changes in the treatment were recorded according to the protocol. The values of these parameters in flare-prediction were comprehensively assessed based on their frequency and time respectively when they became abnormal before the disease flare. Results Among the 106 patients, the disease activity of 67 cases were in remission and satisfied the prospective study criteria of the SLE flare. Thirty-one flares in 29 patients were observed. The frequency of flare was 0.44/patient/year. Comprehensively the most valuable predictor of those parameters was anti-dsDNA antibody, followed by complement components, sIL-2R, erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), complete blood count, urine analysis, fatigue, mucous membrane ulceration, new rashes and alopecia. C3 was a better predictor for SLE flares than that of C4 and CH50. Conclusions The flares of SLE could be predicted. Early intervention will help to prevent patients from flare.

Resistant starch is not absorbed in the small intestine.But it can be fermented in the large bowel.Recent studies have confirmed the ability of resistant starch to decrease postprandial blood glucose levels,decrease serum cholesterol and triglyeride levels,and enhance the sensitivity of insulin.As such,resistant starch contributes to preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.

Objective To construct an eukaryotic recombinant plasmid with HGFSP, a hybrid gene encoding the antigen epitopes of MSA1, MSA2, RESA and CSP in different developing stages of Plasmodium falciparum(P.f. ). Methods HGFSP was sub-cloned into an eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3 from a prokaryotic recombinant plasmid pSK-HGFSP to construct the eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid pc-HGFSP. The identified recombinant was then transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome-mediated method. The G418-selected positive cell clones were tested to identify the immunogenicity of HGFSP-expressing antigen. Results It was evidenced that HGFSP was correctly inserted into pcDNA3 by restriction enzymes map analysis. HGFSP-expressing antigen-specific fluorescent response was observed in pc-HGFSP-transfected HepG2 cells. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting showed that there was a 23 kD protein band, which can be specifically recognized by anti-sera of HGFSP-expressing protein in pc-HGFSP-transfected HepG2 cell lysis. Conclusion Pc-HGFSP, an eukaryotic recombinant plasmid encoding hybrid antigen epitopes of P.f ., was constructed successfully and the antigenicity of pc-HGFSP-expressing protein was confirmed.

CD40 Ligand ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

Clinical data of 595 patients of stroke admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning were analyzed retrospectively, 310 (52. 1% ) of them with strokeassociated pneumonia (SAP). Early-onset pneumonia occurred in 225 patients (72.6%), and late-onset pneumonia in 85 (27.4%). Patients with length of hospital-stay equal to or more than two weeks accounted for (113 cases) 50. 3% of those with early-onset pneumonia, whereas patients with length of hospital-stay less than one week (60 cases) accounted for 70. 6% of those with late-onset pneumonia. Age above 65 years ( OR = 1. 037 ), diabetes ( OR = 1. 724), Glasgow coma scores equal to or less than eight ( OR = 0. 098 ),nasal feeding ( OR = 6. 640 ), administration of gastric mucosal protective drugs ( OR = 3. 581 ) and antibiotic prophylaxis ( OR = 2. 433) all were risk factors for SAP.

Objective To explore the constitutional characteristics and risk in tinnitus patients. Methods The inclusion criteria were established on the basis of requests of constitution research. Those patients from the tinnitus clinic of Yueyang Hospital of Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine with the tinnitus as the chief complaint were included in accordance with the "Scale of TCM Constitution" to analyze the constituent ratio of various constitution types. Results There were 147 cases of gentleness type (29.64%),349 cases of biased constitution (70.36%),including 77 cases of yang-deficiency type (15.52%),37 cases of qi-deficiency type (7.46%),12 cases of yin-deficiency type (2.42%),11 cases of phlegm-damp type (2.22%),4 cases of special diathesis type (0.81%),156 cases of other type based on qi-deficiency type (31.45%),and 52 cases of other type based on yang-deficiency type (10.48%). The incidence of tinnitus was positively correlated with the patients' age. The patients mainly distributed in over 55 years of age. Gentleness type,qi-deficiency type,yang-deficiency type,other type based on qi-deficiency type,and other type based on yang-deficiency type were mainly distributed in course of disease in 0~3 months and 1~5 years. In the distribution of chronic-acute onset,all cases were chronic. Conclusion Qi-deficiency constitution and yang-deficiency constitution are the main constitutional types and risk factors for tinnitus. It is significant to improve qi-deficiency constitution and yang-deficiency constitution for treating and preventing tinnitus.

Objective To evaluate the results of the Secuplate anterior cervical osteosynthesis plate (SACOP) for the treatment of patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods Twenty six patients with CSM underwent anterior decompression fusion and internal fixation with SACOP were reviewed. All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (mean, 8 months). Results Neurological deficits improved in 23 of 26 patients after operation. A stable bony fusion according to radiological criteria was achieved in all cases 6 months postoperatively. There was no implants breakage and loosening. Conclusion Intervertebral fusion and internal fixation with SACOP after anterior decompression can offer immediate stability, prevent graft dislodgement, avoid cast immobilization and give a high rate of successful bony fusion for the patient with CSM.

[Objective]To compare the outcome and complication rates following nonoperative and those after ptate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures.[Method]Between March 2001 and December 2005,the data of 110 patients with a displaced midshaft fracture of clavicle were retrospective analyzed.Among them,62 patients were treated with plate fixation,including 53 male and 9 female patients aged 33.5 years old averagely.48 patients were treated with closed reduction and a figure-of-eight bandage applied,including 33 male and 15 female patients aged 33 years old averagely.Following enrollment in the study,the patients were seen at six weeks and at three,six,and twelve months.Assessment included standardized clinical evaluation,completion of the Constant shoulder score,complication and plain radiographs.Radiographic union was defined as complete cortical bridging between proximal and distal fragments on radiograph.[Result]All patients completed one year of follow-up.Constant shoulder score were significantly improved in the operative fixation group at all time-points(P

Objective To study the impact of the high temperature and muggy weather on the people’s life and work. Methods The data of summer temperature and relative humidity (Jun-Aug) from 1971 to 2000 and that of 2006 were used and the characteristic of muggy weather and distribution in main cities, Chengdu, Guangyuan, Yibing, Suining and Dazhou in Sichuan basin were compared, the influence of the thermal environment on people comfort degree was evaluated by using temperature-humidity index. Results 177 high temperature days, 17 high temperature processes, 167 muggy weather days and 12 muggy processes were seen in 5 cities in Sichuan basin in the summer of 2006. The thermal environment of Chengdu and Dazhou mainly manifested the lighter heat, heat and lower comfort degree. At 2 p.m., the relative humidity weakened the comfort degree in Chengdu, but enhanced it in Dazhou. The duration of non-comfort degree in Dazhou was longer than that in Chengdu. Conclusion The relative humidity has a strong impact on people comfort degree and the combined use of temperature and relative humidity will be useful to evaluate the city thermal environment and people comfort degree.