Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)in diagnosing the acute centrum ovale infarction, and also to investigate the pathogenesis of the infarction. Methods All 58 patients underwent conventional MRI and DWI scanning after symptoms’ onset. DWI findings were compared to the findings of T_1WI and T_2WI. Results The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing the ischemia stroke were 96.4% and 98.8% within 7 days after onset. Of all the cases, 62.1% were associated with the cerebral large-vessel disease and emboligenic heart disease. Only 36.2% had a classic lacunar syndrome but 69.0% had more frequently an abrupt onset of symptoms. Conclusion DWI is of high accuracy for diagnosing centrum ovale infarction and detecting early infarction lesions which are difficult to be displayed in conventional MRI, and very helpful in differentiating the acute from non-acute lesions; symptomatic centrum ovale infarction is suggested to be associated with large-vessel and heart disease which should be distinguished from the lacunar infarcts.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the nucleic acid detection results of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and compare with the detection results of real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), so as to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of detection, and to provide data support for optimizing the nucleic acid detection scheme of SARS-CoV-2. Methods　According to the SARS-CoV-2 specific primer probe published by the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a ddPCR detection method for SARS-CoV-2 was designed. One sample was selected for sensitivity test after gradient dilution; six respiratory virus nucleic acid positive samples including seasonal H3N2 influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were selected for specificity test; five SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were selected for repeatability test; in addition, 30 positive and 20 negative SARS-CoV-2 samples were selected for multiple clinical samples testing, and the results were analyzed and compared with those of qRT-PCR. Results　The ddPCR method can specifically detect SARS-CoV-2, and directly obtain the original copy number of the sample target gene to achieve accurate quantification; the sensitivity test of gradient dilution positive samples showed that qRT-PCR detected target genes in part of the 10-5 dilution of samples, and no target genes were detected in 10-6 dilution, while ddPCR detected all target genes in both 10-5 and 10-6 dilution of samples. The detection limit of ddPCR was two orders of magnitude higher than that of qRT-PCR, and the sensitivity was higher than that of qRT-PCR; in the comparison of the repeatability test results of the two methods, the coefficient of variation of ddPCR was 1.266%-11.814%, lower than 1.729%-26.174% of qRT PCR, and the repeatability was higher than qRT-PCR; among 50 clinical samples, 30 positive samples of confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were detected by both methods, SARS-CoV-2 was successfully detected by both methods, and 20 negative samples of COVID-19 were detected by both methods, and the results were negative, with a coincidence rate of 100.00% (50/50). Conclusion　The ddPCR method can accurately quantify SARS-CoV-2 with strong specificity, and its sensitivity and repeatability are higher than those of qRT-PCR, but it also has certain detection limitations and is more suitable for the detection of low load samples. In the actual detection, the two methods can be reasonably combined to improve the detection accuracy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of policosanol on serum lipid and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODSThis randomized, open study included 72 patients with hyperlipidemia. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment group (policosanol, 20 mg/d, n = 36) or placebo group (placebo, two tablets/d, n = 36). The levels of serum lipids, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), HO-1 were assessed before and after 16 weeks treatment. Drug-induced adverse effects and events were recorded during the observation period. The serum HO-1 was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS(1) After 16 weeks, all parameters remained unchanged in the placebo group; the level of TC decreased from (7.01 ± 1.03) mmol/L to (5.66 ± 0.83) mmol/L (-19.4%, P < 0.01), the level of LDL-C decreased from (4.78 ± 0.72) mmol/L to (3.70 ± 0.69) mmol/L (-22.5%, P < 0.01) in the treatment group. TG and HDL-C levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05) while the level of HO-1 significantly decreased from (1.82 ± 1.08) µg/L to (1.45 ± 0.81) µg/L (P < 0.01) and the level of hs-CRP decreased from (3.40 ± 3.64) mg/L to (1.86 ± 2.02) mg/L (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. (2) Safety index was similar between placebo and treatment groups (P > 0.05) and there was no adverse events including allergic reaction, muscle pain in all subjects during the observation period.

CONCLUSIONThe short-term data obtained from this small hyperlipidemia patient cohort suggest that policosanol is a safe lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory agent for hyperlipidemia patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Alcohols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control measures on the transmission and epidemic of influenza in Chongqing, so as to provide references for formulating targeted influenza prevention and control strategies. Methods　The influenza surveillance data, during the year 2018 to 2020, were collected through the "China Influenza Surveillance Information System", and the seasonal characteristics of influenza epidemic were analyzed. The percentage of influenza like cases (ILI%) and influenza virus positive rate between 2020 and 2018-2019 were compared, so as to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 prevention and control measures on influenza epidemic characteristics. Results　The annual proportions of ILI cases in Chongqing were respectively 3.53%, 2.23% and 1.2% from 2018 to 2020, while the positive rates of influenza virus were respectively 13.97%, 23.81% and 2.65%. The distribution trend of ILI% from 2018 to 2019 fluctuated were similar, but it continued to drop and remain at a low level since February 2020. The positive rate of influenza virus showed an epidemic peak from December to March in 2018-2019, also peaked from November 2019 to January 2020, but decreased to 0 in March. ILI% was positively correlated with the positive rate of influenza virus (r=0.404 8, P<0.05). In 2020, compared with the same period of 2018-2019, the growth rate of ILI% was -66.09% and -46.32%, respectively. The positive rate of influenza virus in 2020 decreased by 81.03% and 88.87% compared with the same period of 2018-2019, respectively. The growth rates of influenza virus positive rate in January 2020 were decreased with a small rate of about 39.87%, and with a significantly decline of more than 93.65% from February. No influenza epidemic was found after March. Conclusions　Since COVID-19 prevention and control measures were implemented in January 2020 in Chongqing, the ILI% and the positive rate of influenza virus in sentinel hospitals decreased significantly. In the season of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, personal protection and other measures can effectively reduce influenza virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To study the cardiotoxicity of ophiopogonin D′(OPD′) for rat H9c2 cardio? myocytes. METHODS H9c2 cells were exposed to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 μmol·L-1 for 24 h. Cell viability was examined by MTS assay, and the morphological changes in H9c2 cells were quanti? fied. The cell nucleus injury was examined by high content immune fluorescence screening and the morphological changes were observed under a fluorescence microscope. After treatment with OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 μmol·L- 1 for 24 h, the effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial mem? brane potential(MMP) and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The viability was sig? nificantly reduced following exposure to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 μmol·L- 1 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The IC50 value was 9.9 μmol ·L- 1 and cell shrinkage and apoptosis occurred. The levels of ROS and apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells were significantly increased after exposure to OPD′ 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 for 24 h (P<0.05,P<0.01) and MMP markedly declined (P<0.05,P<0.01). CONCLUSION OPD′ has significent cytotoxicity on H9c2 cells. It may be related to inducing apopotsis pathways.

AIMTo explore the culture method of rat hepatocyte between two collagen gel layers on a sandwich configuration and observe the function and morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte, which will be used in evaluation the effect of traditional Chinese Medicine on cytochrome P450.

METHODSRat hepatocyte were isolated by two-step in situ collagenase perfusion method; the hepatocyte were seeded in dishes coated with type I rat tail collagen, culture medium was added and changed daily after gelation. The morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte were observed and biochemical index were tested. The drug effect on the expression of CYP3A was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSRat hepatocytes were successfully attached in gel. BUN and Alb excretion from cell could be tested in the culture period, however, the release of LDH content were lower than the culture system without collagen gel. The typical cellular morphological characteristics of cultured hepatocytes could be observed. PCN increased CYP3A mRNA expression in dose-dependent manner, while the expression of GAPDH wasn't affected.

CONCLUSIONRat hepatocyte sandwich culture can maintenance the cell function and activity, which simulate the environment that more closely in vivo, especially the activity of drug metabolism enzymes.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion and exercise comprehensive scheme intervention for children with short stature of deficience of the kidney essence.

METHODSTwenty four cases of children in 12 to 14 years old were selected, 12 male and 12 female, they were treated with comprehensive therapy of exercise therapy and moxibustion. Running and jumping were selected as main exercise therapy, it became a suitable exercise amount when the heart rate reach to 150 to 170 times per minute, thrice each week, 35 to 45 minutes each time. After exercises they were treated with moxibustion, Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Dazhu (BL 11), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Geshu (BL 17) etc. were selected. After treatment for half a year, the changes of the body height, body weight, bone age(BA), growth hormone (GH), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe body height and bone age of the boys and girls were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05), the growth of body height was more than 4 cm, the growth of bone age was more than 0.5 years old in half a year; the testosterone of all children was significantly increased (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in body weight, GH and E2 compared to those before treatment (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxbustion and exercise comprehensive scheme can effectively improve the children with short stature of deficience of the kidney essence, the mechanism is related to the improving of the testosterone level.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Child ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Human Growth Hormone ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the parameter values and changes of local fiber bundles of the medial structures of the temporal lobe in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) with MR diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and MRI diffusion-tensor tracking(DTT),and evaluate the diagnostic value of DTI in the localization of seizure focus in patients with TLE:Methods Sixteen patients with TLE,admitted to our hospital from December 2010 to February 2011,and 20 healthy volunteers received conventional MRI and DTI.The values of apparent diffusion coefient(ADC),fractional anisotropy(FA)and relative anisotropy(RA) of the bilateral medial structures of the temporal lobe (including the amygdala,hippocampus and cortex)were measured,respectively.The differences of the fiber bundles between the epilepsy patients and the controls were observed with DTT.Results No significant differences in measured values of ADC,FA and RA were noted between the left and right medial structures of temporal lobe in the controls(P＞0.05).The values of ADC,FA and RA in the left/right medial structures of temporal lobe in TLE patients had significant differences as compred with those in controls(P＜ 0.05); the values of ADC showed gradual reduction in the ipsilateral side,contralateral side and controls,successively; and the changes in the hippocampus tail was the most obvious.The values of FA and RA showed gradual increment in the ipsilateral side,contralateral side and controls successively;the changes of parameters values in the amygdala and the hippocampus body were more remarkable than those in the hippocampus tail.Conclusion The DTI can show the micromechanics′ characteristics of the medial structures of the temporal lobe in patients with TLE,which can help the location of seizure focus in patients with TLE.Increasing the understanding of the medial structures of the temporal lobe will help the preoperative integral assessment and improve the surgical effect.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of bone metabolism indexes and human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27)in ankylosing spondylitis(AS)and analyze their diagnostic value. Methods:The subjects were 94 cases of AS patients,239 cases with other diseases and 80 healthy controls, and the results were retrospectively surveyed. Results:In the AS group, the concentration of the β-collagen specific sequence (β-CTX ) was higher ( P<0. 05 ) while the concentrations of osteocalcin ( OC ) , 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone(PTH)were lower than those in the control group. In the AS group,there was a positive correlation between the concentration of C-reactive protein(CRP)and β-CTX(P<0. 01),and the concentration of CRP was negatively correlated with the concentration of 25-(OH)D(P<0. 05). However,the concentrations of other bone metabolic indexes had no correlation with the concentration of CRP(P<0. 05). The positive rate of HLA-B27 in the AS group was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0. 05),and HLA-B27 had highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of AS. In the AS group,the sensitivity of the concentration of 25-( OH) D was higher than β-CTX,while its specificity was lower than β-CTX. Conclusion:Bone metabolic indexes have great value in early screening and clinical diagnosis of AS,especially β-CTX and 25-( OH) D were more obvious.