Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasonic elastography (1-5 score scale) in identifying malignancies of breast diseases. Methods: Three hundred and thirty patients with 356 solid breast lesions were recruited between June 2008 and February 2009. The routine ultrasound scanning and ultrasonic elastography were applied in these patients. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was considered as gold standard. The clinical value of the score of ultrasonic elastography was evaluated. Results: The accuracy of ultrasonic elastography score 1, 2 and 3 for the diagnosis of benign breast lesions were 97.0%, 97.5% and 79.3%, respectively; while the accuracy of ultrasonic elastography score 4 and 5 for the diagnosis of malignant breast lesions were 77.8% and 100.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonic elastography in the diagnosis of malignant breast tumors according to the five-point elasticity scores were 82.8% and 90.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonic elastography for the diagnosis of malignant breast lesions with diameter no more than 1 cm or more than 1 cm according to the five-point elasticity scores were 88.0% and 100.0% or 82.5% and 87.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The ultrasonic elastography is helpful in identifying benign and malignant breast diseases, and it needs to be further studied.

Adolescent ; Child ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Stomach ; physiology

Humans ; Noise, Occupational ; Occupational Exposure

Objective To investigate the effect of nicardipine on perioperative insulin sensitivity in patients with essential hypertension(EH). Methods Thirty-eight patients undergoing lobectomy continuously after induction of anesthesia in group N, while normal saline was infused in group C instead of nicardipine. Blood samples were taken immediately before induction of anesthesia(T_0), 2 h after skin incision(T_1) ,4 h after surgery(T_2) and 24 h after surgery(T_3). Blood glucose(BG) and plasma insulin (Ins) were measured. The Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. Results Values of BG at T_2and T_3 in group C were higher than those at T_0 (P<0. 05). Value of Ins at T_2 in group C was higher than that at T_0 (P<0. 05),which at T_3 in group C was significantly higher than that at T_0 (P<0. 01). ISI at T_2 in group C was lower than that at T_0 (P<0. 05) ,which at T_3 in group C was lower significantly than that at T_0 (P<0. 01). Values of BG and Ins at T_3 in group N were higher than those at T_0 (P<0. 05), ISI at T_3 in group N was lower than that at T_0 (P<0. 05). Value of BG at T_2 was significantly lower in group N than that in group C(P<0. 05). Value of Ins at T_3 was significantly lower in group N than that in group C(P<0. 01). ISI at T_2 and T_3 in group N was min~(-1) infused continuously during and after lobectomy can increase significantly insulin sensitivity and improve postopertive insulin resistance state in EH patients.

Over-expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is associated with the development of multi-drug resistance ( MDR). Pgp has been focused on as the main target in designing chemotherapy strategy. In this article we review some of the latest advancement in designing and evaluation methods of P- glycoprotein inhibitors.

The microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide (TD-34) treated Caco-2 cell membrane was observed, and we discussed the relationship between membrane structure and insulin transmembrane permeability. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to observe living cell membrane in air condition and tapping mode. Results showed that the surface of Caco-2 cell membrane treated with TD-34 lost its smoothness and nearly doubled its roughness. Apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) of insulin in Caco-2 cell monolayers increased 2.5 times. In conclusion, AFM can be used to observe microstructure of cationic cyclopeptide treated cell membrane and cationic cyclopeptide enhanced insulin delivery across Caco-2 cell membrane by increasing membrane fluidity.
Caco-2 Cells ; Cations ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Humans ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Peptides, Cyclic ; pharmacology

Neuronal?_4?_2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) are the most widespread subtypes in central nervous system.?_4?_2 nAChRs mainly exist in procerebrum,parietal lobe cortex,temporal lobe cortex,hippocampus,basal ganglion and cerebellum.Researches on gene knock-out mice have demonstrated that?_4?_2 receptors participate in the development,aging,neuron survival,pain,and learning and memory,and are also involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid release and dopaminergic function.Studies have disclosed that?_4?_2 nAChRs relate to the development of variety of neurological diseases,including pain,Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are the most widespread subtypes in central nervous system, α4β2 nAChRs mainly exist in procerebrum, parietal lobe cortex, temporal lobe cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglion and cerebellum. Researches on gene knock-out mice have demonstrated that α4β2 receptors participate in the development, aging, neuron survival, pain, and learning and memory, and are also involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid release and dopaminergic function. Studies have disclosed that α4β2 nAChRs relate to the development of variety of neurological diseases, including pain, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.