Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases ; diagnosis ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the effects of Xuezhikang (XZK) on carotid atherosclerosis plaque and blood lipids in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods 65 patients with TIA were randomly divided into two groups: XZK group and control group.XZK group received XZK and Aspirin for 6 months, while the control group received Aspirin only. The intima-midia thickness (IMT) of carotid artery,the area of carotid atherosclerosis plaque, and levels of blood lipids, oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL) and serum nitric oxide (NO) were measured before and after treatment.Incidence rate of cerebrovascular event in the two groups were compared in 6 months. Results After 6 months of treatment, the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and ox-LDL concentrations decreased significantly in XZK group, however high density lipoprotein (HDL) and NO levels increased markedly (all P0.05).Conclusion It is shown that XZK not only effectively adjusts blood lipids, inhibits peroxide of lipids and protects vascular endothelial, but also regresses the atherosclerosis and stabilizes the plaque.

Objective To explore some characters of auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) to multiple simultaneous stimuli in a sample of normal-hearing adults.Methods The ASSR to multiple simultaneous stimuli were recorded in a sample of 32 normal-hearing adults (64 ears). Simultaneous carrier tones (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz), modulated in amplitude at different rate of 77, 85,93, 101 Hz for left ear and 79, 87, 95, 103 Hz for right ear, were presented binaurally by the insert phones. For each subject the response thresholds (RTHs) at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were determined automatically and compared with the corresponding behavioral thresholds (BTHs).Results ①In the normal-hearing adults, RTHs were on average between 7～19 dB above the BTHs.②2-way repeated measures ANOVA (ear?carrier frequencies) showed significant main effect between carrier frequencies on RTH ( F =31.254; ? 3,179; P =0.000). Post Hoc analysis indicated that this effect was due to the highest threshold found at 0.5 kHz. The test showed no significant difference of threshold between left ear and right ear ( F =1.942; ? 1,179; P =0.165). ③Taking 60 dB SPL as analysis level, 2-way repeated measures ANOVA (gender?carrier frequencies) revealed significant difference of amplitude between male and female( F =16.490; ? 1,175; P =0.000); and difference of amplitude between carrier frequencies ( F =2.948; ?3, 175; P =0.034).④The average testing time was 61 minutes for male and 69 minutes for female. Independent t-test showed statistical significance within sex.⑤Two- way ANOVA (state?frequency)showed that background EEG noise were significantly higher in awake than that in sleep ( F =152.511; P =0.000). There were no appreciable significance in background noise among frequencies. Conclusion The ASSR to multiple simultaneous stimuli was proven to be a frequency specific, objective and valid technique for threshold estimation at least for normal-hearing adults. Issues concern ing clinical use were discussed.

ObjectiveTo analyze the relative influential factors of hearing rehabilitation of the deafened children with multichannel cochlear implant. Methods42 prelingually deafened children who accepted multichannel cochlear implant were evaluated with their hearing ability, hearing thresholds and talent level, while their family and usage of the multichannel cochlear were investigated. Results and ConclusionThe result shows that the factors influencing the hearing rehabilitation are the occupations of the parents, income of the family, the time between diagnosing deaf and the operation, the time after the cochlear implant operation and the talent level. The results of the logistic regression show that the deafened children can gain their hearing developing rapidly if they living in a family with high income, their mothers have accepted more education, and they accepted longer time of continuing hearing-aid, etc.

ObjectiveTo analyze the relative influential factors of hearing rehabilitation of the deafened children with multichannel cochlear implant. Methods42 prelingually deafened children who accepted multichannel cochlear implant were evaluated with their hearing ability, hearing thresholds and talent level, while their family and usage of the multichannel cochlear were investigated. Results and ConclusionThe result shows that the factors influencing the hearing rehabilitation are the occupations of the parents, income of the family, the time between diagnosing deaf and the operation, the time after the cochlear implant operation and the talent level. The results of the logistic regression show that the deafened children can gain their hearing developing rapidly if they living in a family with high income, their mothers have accepted more education, and they accepted longer time of continuing hearing-aid, etc.

Renal artery embolization was induced experimentally in rabbits and microvascular changs were studiedangiographically, microangiographically and histopathologically. The results were as follows; 1. The mainmicroangiographic findings of renal artery embolization were arterial occlusion and collateral vessels arecharacterized by spiralling, dilatation, irregular lumen with abrupt caliber change, disoriented course andincreased number. 2. Collateral vessel formation was demonstrated in all cases of renal artery embolization bymicroangiography. 3. Recanalization of embolized vessels was better visualized by renal angiography thanmicorangiography. It was considered that microangiography is a valuable method for the observation ofmicrovascular changes in renal artery embolization and other renal diseases.
Angiography ; Dilatation ; Methods ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery

PURPOSE: To describe the radiological differences between tuberculous(TBB) and non-tuberculous bronchiectasis(NTBB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest radiographs(n=62), bronchograms(n=18), and CT scans(n=52) of 37 patients with TBB and 25 patients with NTBB were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic basis for TBB were positive sputum AFB with or without history of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy(n=35), and radiological findings of pulmonary tuberculosis (n=2). Four of NTBB had a history of severe respiratory tract infection in childhood. RESULTS: Air-fluid levels on chest radiographs were seen in 2% of TBB, and 20% of NTBB. On bronchograms, all patients with TBB had combined focal bronchostenosis, whereas patients with NTBB had tubular(50%), cystic(17%), or mixed(33%) pattern of dilatation without stenosis. On CT scans, focal emphysema was seen in 86% of the patients with TBB, and 38% of the patients with NTBB. Peribronchiolar infiltration were seen in 78% and 44% of patients with TBB and NTBB, retrospectively. CONCLUSION: Basic radiological difference between TBB and NTBB was that the former had coexistent sten.
Bronchiectasis* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Pulmonary Emphysema ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

A multiple regression analysis using ordinary least square (OLS) is frequently used for the projection of healt expenditure as well as for the identification of factors affecting health care costs. Data for the analysis often have mixed characteristics of time series and cross section. Parameters as a result of OLS estimation, in this case, are no longer the best linear unbiased estimators (BLUE) because the data do not satisfy basic assumptions of regression analysis. The study theoretically examined statistical problems induced when OLS estimation was applied with the time series cross section data. Then both the OLS regression and time series cross section regression (TSCS regression) were applied to the same empirical data. Finally, the difference in parameters between the two estimations were explained through residual analysis.
Health Care Costs ; Health Expenditures*

PURPOSE: recent studies have reported that the expression of Drg-1 is up-regulated by androgen. It has been suggested that Drg-1 gene be used as a molecular marker for prostate cancer therapies like PSA. To de termine the role of Drg-1 gene as a molecular marker during intermittent androgen deprivation(IAD) therapy, we investigated the expression of Drg-1 and compared it with PSA expression in human prostate cancer cell lines treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) continuously or intermittently. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two prostate cancer cells having different status of androgen receptor [LNCaP (androgen dependent) and PC-3 (androgen independent)] were used in this study. To know the change in PSA and Drg-1 expression after DHT treatment the cells were cultured in steroid-free RPMI media for 24 hours. 10(-7) and 10(-8)M of DHT and 10(-7)M bicalutimide was added into the cells and then cultured for 72 hours. And we established in vitro IAD model using LNCaP cells. Northern analyses were performed to determine the expression level of both PSA and Drg-1genes. Also, western analyses were performed to determine the protein level of proliferating cellular nuclear antigen and androgen receptor. RESULTS: Transcripts of Drg-1 were detected in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells but PSA was not expressed in PC-3 cells. The expression of Drg-1gene in LNCaP cells was up-regulated by 10(-8)M of DHT like PSA gene and down-regulated by 10(-7)M bicalutamide. In the treatment of intermittent androgen deprivation, the expression pattern of Drg-1was similar to that of PSA. However, up-regulation of PSA was detected earlier than of Drg-1. CONCLUSIONS: Based on observation, Drg-1 was up-regulated by androgen and down-regulated by anti-androgen. This suggests that Drg-1gene is useful for determining the androgen independency of prostate cancer during IAD.
Cell Line ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Humans ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Androgen ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND:Thrombogenesis is the most common cause of failure in the implantation of tissue engineered small-caliber vesselgrafts.And immobilizing heparin onto the surfaces of vascular scaffoidgrafts is often applied to improve their blood compatibility and patency.OBJECTIVES:To investigate the small intestinal submucosa(SIS)surface after heparinizadon with hypothermic plasma technique,to ireprove the blood compatibility of SIS and to explore the possibility for the construction of small-caliber vascular grafts with modified SIS seaffolds in vivo.DESIGN:Single exponent study.SETTING:Department of Orthopaedics,the Six People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University;ShanghaiInstitute for Microsurgery of Extremities.MATERIALS:This study was performed in the Shahghai Institute for Microsurgery of Extremities from January to October 2006.The jejuna were taken from farm pigs.METHODS:The SIS surface of pigswere processed by argon plasma(20mL/min)technique at different time periods(0,2,4,6,8,10,12,and 14 s),which were then immediately immerged in heparin sodium solution for 24 hours.Dogs were divided into two groups.The SIS films were sewn into a 3-mm diameter tube and implanted into the defect of a canine femoral by anastomosis as a vascular graft.The observation lasted for 6 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The surface morphologies of SIS were observed under scanning electron microscope(SEM).The antithrombogenicity of SIS films was tested by water contact angle,blood coagulation time and platelet adherence observation by SEM.The efficiency of the SIS graft was evaluated by the patency in the circulation of blood with colour doppler detection and histology.RESULTS:Heparinized SIS showed great different surface morphology comparing with untreated SIS.Untreated SIS surface looked like wrinkled film,but on heparinized SIS surface spread with uniform micro-dots,which looked like a layer of heparin adhesion.Water contact angle decreased with the increase of plasma irradiation time.Prothrombin time (PT),partial thromboplastin time(APTT),and thrombin time(TT)of the SIS films modified with heparin were prolonged.Platelets adhered much more on untreated SIS film than on heparinized SIS film.Vascular graft from SIS embolized in the lumina completely at day 3 after anastomosis.Heparinized SIS graft kept patency for six weeks,and the inner surface of graft was covered with full endothelial cells.CONCLUSION:Hydrophilicity and antithrombogenicity of heparinized SIS are increased obviously after hypothermia plasma treatment.