Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy between conventional nursing and conventional nursing plus electroacupuncture in treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operation, and their effects in recovering gastrointestinal function. Method Sixty patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operation were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a control group according to their operation time, 30 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was intervened by conventional postoperative nursing plus electroacupuncture, by selecting bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Xiajuxu (ST39), Neiguan (PC6) and Taichong (LR3), connected to HANS electroacupuncture device, with frequency at 2 Hz and a tolerable intensity. The treatment was given once a day, for 5 d in total, till the recovery of gastrointestinal function. The control group was intervened by conventional postoperative nursing. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at the end of the intervention. The time of first bowel sound, first exhaust time, and first bowel movement time were observed. The gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS) was adopted to evaluate the effects of the two methods in improving gastrointestinal function at the end of the intervention. Result The general therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05). In the electroacupuncture group, time taken for the first bowel sound, first exhaust and first bowel movement after the operation was shorter(P<0.05). The GIS dropped in both groups after the treatment, and the improvement was more significant in the electroacupuncture group(P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture helps promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, and can produce a more significant improvement.

Objective To understand the roles of JAK STAT pathway in the process of differentiation of human cord blood CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells into dendritic cells (DCs) by detecting the expressions and activation of JAK2 and STAT5. Methods CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood and cultured for two weeks were induced to differentiate into DCs in vitro . Total cellular JAK2 and STAT5 and tyrosine phosphorylated protein stimulated by granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM CSF) at different time points (0, 7, and 14) during DC differentiation were detected by Western blotting. Results The amount of JAK2 protein was similar at 0, 7, and 14 d without GM CSF stimulation. With the differentiation of cells into DCs, the amount of tyrosine phospho JAK2 induced by GM CSF increased markedly. Both total cellular and tyrosine phospho STAT5 expression increased markedly during DC differentiation. Maximal tyrosine phospho STAT5 expression was later than JAK2. Conclusion JAK STAT pathway may take part in the signal mechanism of DCs differentiation from CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells stimulated by GM CSF.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; China ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Stress, Psychological ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Vibration ; adverse effects

Objective To investigate maternal risk factors for fetal congenital heart diseases (CHD). Methods A case-control study was conducted on 16 645 pregnant women who underwent cardiovascular malformation screening for fetal cardiovascular system,whose pregnancy outcomes were recorded,and whose newborns were scanned by an echocardiography in Peking University People's Hospital,Haidian,Changping,Mentougou and Daxing Maternal and Child Health Hospital from Nov.2006 to Oct.2009.One hundred and twelve pregnant women whose babies were found to be CHD (40 severe CHD and 72 simple CHD) before or after delivery were taken as study group.Women in control group (n =304) were randomly selected from those pregnant women who had infants without CHD.Logistic regression analysis and x2 test were used to analyze the maternal risk factors for fetal CHD. Results (1) The average age of women whose infants had severe CHD was 28.3 years (21-40 years),and it was 29.9 years (22-39 years) for women whose infants had simple CHD.There were no significant differences between the control group (29.5 years,20-44 years) and the above two groups (t=1.511 and -0.826,P=0.138 and 0.410 respectively).(2) Single factor analysis:during first trimester,the rate of upper respiratory infection (18/39,46.2 ％) and exposure to certain chemicals (13/40,32.5％) of severe CHD group were higher than those of control group [(14.9％ (45/303) and 2.0％ (6/304)] (x2 =22.399 and 62.678,OR=4.895 and 23.753,95％CI:2.419-9.905 and 8.358-67.506,P =0.000 respectively).Compared with control group (0.0％,0/304),the rate of pregnant women with CHD family history in simple CHD group was significantly higher (4.2％,3/72)(Fisher exact test,P=0.007).(3) Logistic regression analysis:maternal upper respiratory infections (OR =5.120,95％CI:2.340-11.206,P =0.000) and exposure to certain chemicals (f)R=23.030,95％CI:7.506-70.665,P=0.000) during first trimester were risk factors for fetal severe CHD. Conclusions Upper respiratory infection and exposure to certain chemicals during first trimester might play important roles in the occurrence of fetal severe CHD.Maternal family history of CHD might associate with fetal simple CHD.

Protamines are a group of highly basic proteins first discovered in spermatozoon that allow for denser packaging of DNA than histones and will result in down-regulation of gene transcription[1].It is well recognized that the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) encodes P6.9,a protamine-like protein that forms the viral subnucleosome through binding to the viral genome[29].Previous research demonstrates that P6.9 is essential for viral nucleocapsid assembly,while it has no influence on viral genome replication[31].In the present study,the role of P6.9 in viral gene transcription regulation is characterized.In contrast to protamines or other protamine-like proteins that usually down-regulate gene transcription,P6.9 appears to up-regulate viral gene transcription at 12-24 hours post infection (hpi),whereas it is non-essential for the basal level of viral gene transcription.Fluorescence microscopy reveals the P6.9's co-localization with DNA is temporally and spatially synchronized with P6.9's impact on viral gene transcription,indicating the P6.9-DNA association contributes to transcription regulation.Chromatin fractionation assay further reveals an unexpected co-existence of P6.9 and host RNA polymerase Ⅱ in the same transcriptionally active chromatin fraction at 24 hpi,which may probably contribute to viral gene transcription up-regulation in the late infection phase.

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the common type of arthropathy, the clinical stage of the typical patients belongs to the middle-late stage, so it urges to improve the early diagnosis. At present, magnetic resonance imaging is most used in clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, and with the development of different MRI sequences, the sequences of early articular cartilage lesions are used in clinic. In the early diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, the simple and practical methods such as ultrasonography is becoming a trend, and the specific biomarkers of early knee osteoarthritis have become the hot research. This overview article outlined the methods of early diagnosis from the ultrashort echo time MRI, ultrasonography and biomarkers.
Biomarkers ; analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Radiography ; Ultrasonography

Objective To explore the expression of nemo-like kinase (NLK) in primary hepatic carcino-ma (HCC) and its clinicopathological significance. Methods The expression of NLK was detected in 136 HCC samples by Immunohistochemistry. Results NLK expression was significantly up-regulated in HCC specimens compared to corresponding normal liver tissues. High expression of NLK was significantly associated with Ed-mondson-steiner grade, tumor size and number of tumor nodules (all P < 0.05). There was positive correlation between NLK and proliferation marker Ki-67 (P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the high expression NLK group was significantly associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival (all P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the high expression NLK was associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis suggested that the expressions of NLK and Ki-67 , Edmondson-steiner grade , metastasis , tu-mor size and number of tumor nodules were independent prognostic indicators for HCC. Conclusions NLK was markedly upregulated in HCC specimens, and it might be an independent prognostic marker for HCC. NLK might play an important role in tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis of HCC.

AIM: To facilitate the suicide gene delivery into neoplasm, a chimeric gene of HSV-tk and green fluorescent protein (gfp) was constructed. METHODS: Molecular cloning technique was used to construct this kind of eukaryotic vector. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), which could coordinate expression of two genes in a single vector, was optioned. By using liposome-mediated transfection, eukaryotic expression vector tgCMV/hytk-IRES-gfp was transfected into human bladder carcinoma cells EJ. RESULTS: A bicistronic eukaryotic vector carrying gfp and hygromycin phosphotransferase-thymidine kinase fusion (hytk) gene was constructed. The results of PCR and microscopy detection show that the hytk-IRES-gfp gene was successfully transferred into EJ cells. There were no differences in the growth pattern or the morphology between EJ and EJ/hytk-GFP cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cell killing by transduction of the hytk-IRES-gfp gene followed by GCV treatment. The IC50 (the concentration required to elicit 50% growth inhibition) was 2.16 mg/L in treatment with GCV for 72 hours. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that this new kind of eukaryotic vector could serves as a new tool and method for neoplasm gene therapy.

Objective To study the impact of the off-pump coronary artery bypass compared to the on-pump coronary artery bypass technique on the rate of acute kidney injury.Methods A retrospective analysis of 824 patients accepted coronary artery bypass surgery in FuWai Hospital Surgical ICU from March 2011 to January 2013.Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach,597 patients in on-pump group and 227 patients in off-pump group.Then compared the difference of acute kidney injury incidence in the two groups.Results 92 patients in the on-pump group occurred AKI,the incidence of AKI was 15.4％.32 patients in the off-pump group occurred AKI,the incidence of AKI was 14.1％.Two groups of patients had no statistical difference in the incidence of AKI,x2 =0.222,P =0.638.Based on the preoperative baseline creatinine clearance levels.We defined normal creatinine clearance (SCR ≥ 60 ml/min),mild renal insufficiency (45 ml/min ＜ SCR ＜60 ml/min),moderate renal dysfunction group(31 ml/min ＜ SCR ＜45 ml/min).Decline with the preoperative creatinine clearance rate,the AKI incidence was elevated significantly,P ＜0.05.Patients with moderate renal insufficiency,offpump patients had lower incidence of AKI than those in on-pump group,P ＜ 0.05.The incidence of renal replacement in the two group patients had no statistical differences.Conclusion The incidence of AKI after coronary artery bypass surgery had no statistical differences with or without pump.In the patients with preoperative moderate renal insufficiency,off-pump can reduce the incidence of AKI,but could not change the kidney the incidence of renal replacement treatment.

Objective To discuss the meanings and methods of the screening, diagnosis and treatment of the left subclavian artery stenosis before the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods A total of 612 patients intend to perform coronary artery bypass grafting in Tianjin Thoracic Hospital,and who were with severe stenosis or occlusion with left subclavian artery were screened by non invasive arteriosclerosis before operation. The diagnosis was confirmed by computerized tomography angiography(CTA),then the stenting angioplasty to the left subclavian artery was performed.The off-pump bypass surgery with the left internal thoracic artery(LITA)-left anterior descending artery (LAD) bypass was performed one week after operation.Results The CTA and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)confirmed the results of the left subclavian stenosis according to the non-invasive artery testing.All the 5 patients were performed with the stenting angioplasty to the left subclavian artery successfully,and the residual stenosis rate was<10%.The clinical symptoms were markedly improved after operations in all symptomatic patients,and the systolic pressure difference was<20 mmHg in two upper extremities.The blood flow was enough in LITA during the LITA-LAD bypass.The angina pectoris was improved after the operation. No coronary-subclavian artery steal phenomenon occurred. Neither stroke, myocardial infraction nor death occurred during perioperative period.All the patients were followed up for a time of 6-12 months,and the average time was about 10 months.No posterior circulation,upper limbs or myocardial ischemia occurred,and the systolic pressure difference was<20 mmHg in two upper extremities.Conclusion The non-invasion testing is of unique value in the screening of the left subclavian artery stenosis.