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.

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

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.

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

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: Eotaxin, a CC chemokine specific for eosinophils, is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma recruiting eosinophils into the airways. Theophylline has been used for the treatment of asthma and rece was proposed to have an anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study is to examine whether theophylline may inhibit the eosinophilic airway inflammation by reducing the expression of eotaxin. METHODS: The expression of eotaxin mRNA was assessed by Northern analysis in A549 cells 4 h after stimulation with TNF-α or IL-1β And then, theophylline was added to A549 cells stimulated with 0.1 ng/ml IL-1β. RESULTS: Eotaxin mRNA expression rates induced by 0.1, 1, 10 ng/mL TNF-α as compared with β-action were 7%, 22%, 28%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates induced by 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 ng/ml IL-1β as compared with β-action, were 10%, 42%, 63%, 72%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after addition of 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 µM dexamethasone induced by 10 ng/mL TNF-α, as compared with β-action were 27%, 18%, 8%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after the addition of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mM dexamethasone induced by 0.1 ng/mL IL-1β, as compared with β -action, were 43%, 47%, 12%, 8%, respectively. Eotaxin mRNA expression rates after the addition of 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 mM theophylline induced by 0.1 ng/mL IL-1β, as compared with β-action, were 48%, 40%, 33%, 22%, 16%, 14%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that theophylline may reduce eosinophil infiltration of the airway at least in part by reducing the expression of eotaxin under the conditions of these experiments.
Asthma ; Dexamethasone ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells* ; Inflammation ; RNA, Messenger* ; Theophylline*

Takayasu's arteritis is an arteritis of undetermined etiology, which affects the aorta, the proximal portions of its major branches, and the pulmonary arteries, and causes coarctation, occlusion, or aneurysmal dilatation of the affected vessels. Authors has reported 9 cases in 1973, and another 24 cases in 1977. Thereafter, during next 4 years, authors experienced another 42 cases and obtained some additional results. The results are as follows: 1. Among 75 cases, 10 are male and 65 female patients with sex ratio of 1:6.5, and about 2/3 of total patients are under 30 years of age. 2. Headache, dizziness, absent or weak radial pulse and hypertension are the most common symptoms and signs. 3. Conventional chest roentgenography may be helpful but not specific in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. 4. The aortographic findings are characteristic and pathognomonic in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. In our series, the most common findings are stenosis or occlusion of subclavian artery, diffuse narrowing and aneurysmal dilatation of abdominal aorta and its branches, narrowing with irregular contour of descending thoracic aorta, and renal artery involvement. 5. Involvement of the aorta was classified as extensive type in 38 cases, descending thoracic and abdominal type in 22 cases and arch type in 15 cases. 6. As total aortography in cluding abdominal aorta uncovers evidence of unsuspected involvement of aorta and its branches, it is of paramount importance in the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortography ; Arteritis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Dizziness ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; Radiography ; Renal Artery ; Sex Ratio ; Subclavian Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis* ; Thorax