Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value and limitation of multichannel intraluminal esophageal impedance and pH (MII-pH) monitoring on the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related chronic cough (GERC).Methods The patients with suspicious GERC consecutively referred to our respiratory clinic between May 2010 and July 2011 underwent a MII-pH monitoring,and received anti-reflux drug therapy,irrespective of the laboratory findings.Chronic cough due to gastroesophageal reflux was determined when there was a favorable response to anti-reflux therapy.Then,the sensitivity,specificity,false positive and negative rate,total consistence,positively and negatively predictive value,the area under the curve of ROC and the Kappa value of the laboratory investigation were calculated for the diagnosis of GERC.Results During the research period,56 patients completed MII-pH monitoring.Among them,the abnormal reflux was found in 35 patients,and GERC was finally confirmed in 30 patients (85.7％) including 25 patients (83.3％) due to acid reflux and 5 patients (16.7％) due to non-acid reflux.In the remaining 21 patients with normal reflux episodes,6 patients (28.6％) could be explained by non-acid reflux for their cough because of a relatively predominant weakly acid reflux and favorable response to empirical anti-reflux therapy.For the diagnosis of GERC,MII-pH monitoring had the sensitivity of 83.3％,the specificity of 75.0％,false positive rate of 25.0％,false negative rate of 16.7％,total consistence of 80.4％,positive predictive value of 85.7％,negative predictive value of 71.4％,the area under the curve of ROC of 0.792 and Kappa value of 0.577 respectively.Conclusion MII-pH is a sensitive and reliable tool for the diagnosis of GERC due to its ability to detect both acid and non-acid reflux.

Objective To investigate the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathway on the transcriptional expression of mdr1 gene induced by doxorubicin ( DOX)and study the transcription regulation of mdr1 gene.Methods K562 cells were treated with DOX(0.01 μg/ml)with the initial concentration of 0.01 μg/ml for 24 hours,then change the culture media without DOX.K562 cells were cultured until the its status wag recovered.Subsequently the cells were treated with DOX(0.02μg/ml)for 24 hours again.The concentration of DOX was increaged until 0.05 μg/ml by following the protocol above.K562 cells were collected at the concentration of 0.01 μg/ml,0.03μg/ml and 0.05μS/ml DOX.Expression of mdr1 gene were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Pglycoprotein(P-gP)wag detected by flow cytometry.Western blot wag performed to detect ERK and P-ERk.K562 cells were pretreated with MAPK inhibitor PD98059 for 1 hour.and then DOX was added.RT-PCR and FCM were used to detect the expression of mdr1 mRNA and P-gp.Results When K562 cells were exposured to DOX.the phosphorylation of ERK wag increaged.the mdr1 gene wag highly expressed as well as its corresponding protein P-gp.When the concentration of DOX was 0.05μg/ml,the expression of mdr1 gene and P-gp were increased over 5 fold.When K562 cells were pretreated with MAPK inhibitor PD98059,the expression of mdr1 gene induced by DOX(the concentration was 0.03 μg/ml and 0.05 μg/m1)was effectively inhibited by(74.1±0.11)%and(70.2±0.14)%respectively.Conclusions DOX could induce the expression of mdr1 gene in K562 cells accompanied by the activation of MAPK/ERK pathway.The block of activation of ERK could inhibit the induced expression of mdr1 gene.

Objective To investigate the effect of arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage. Methods 156 cases diagnosed with moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage were collected from October 2011 to October 2014. Lysholm knee score and preoperative examinations such as anteroposterior, lateral, axial radiographs, the standing full leg length X-ray film and MRI scan of the knee were recommended to definitively understand the osteoarthritis staging and meniscus injury grading. All patients were treated with arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy. After operation, physical rehabilitation exercises and regular clinical follow-up were carried out as planned. The Lysholm knee score data from preoperation and terminal follow-up was statistical analyzed. Results No patient experienced any perioperative and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis showed that the Lysholm knee score of postoperation was significantly higher than that of preoperation [(87.3 ± 7.9) vs (67.5 ± 4.9), P < 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage, gains beneficial effects for its minimal invasion and quick recovery.

0bjective To determine the optimal contrast protocols for 64.slice spiral CT coronary angiography in order to reduce the volume of contrast injection.Methods One hundred fifty pailents scheduled to undergo 64-slice spiral CT coronary angiography were prospectively randomized into the following five groups with different injection protocols:group l:uniphasic injection without a flush;group 2:biphasic injection with a flush;group 3,group 4 and group 5:triphasic injection with a diluted contrast material with 3:7.5:5.7:3 contrast/saline ratio respectively.Attenuation was measured in the right atrium,right ventricle,left atrium,left ventricle,ascending aorta,fight coronary artery and left coronary artery and analyzed with single factor variance test(ANOVA).The quality the coronary artery images was evaluated and compared using person Chi-Square.Results The total contrast material vohme were (67.0±5.3)ml,(59.9±4.9)ml,(62.9±3.2)ml,(69.2 4±5.7)ml and(70.9 4-4.6)ml in five groups respectively(F=27.43,P<0.01).Image quali～scores of coronary arteries were significant different among five groups(X2=18.81,P<0.05).There were signiflcandy differences in artifacts of the superior vena cava among five groups(X2=31.44,P<0.01).The artifacts in the superior vena cava in group 1 was the most,and in group 2 was the least.The mean enhancement values of right and left coronary arteries in group 2 were significantly greater than those in other groups(F=2.47 and 4.10,P<0.05).The visualization of both left ventricle and right ventricle cavities W88 the best in group 3.Conclusion Biphasic injection and triphasic injection are better than uniphasic injection for 64-slice spiral CT coronary angiography and triphasic injecfion is better than biphasic injection for the visualization of both left ventricle and right ventricle cavities.

Tetanic stimulation of the sciatic nerve (TSS) induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of both C- and A-fiber-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn and long-lasting mechanical allodynia in rats. Though central mechanisms underlying those phenomena have been well studied, peripheral mechanisms still remain poorly known. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is an important transcription factor. In the spinal cord, NFκB plays a key role in regulating the expression of numerous pro-inflammation factors and contributes to glial activation in central nervous system, suggesting the involvement of spinal NFκB in central sensitization. To address whether NFκB in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) participates in peripheral sensitization, we examined NFκB expression in the DRG and the effect of inhibiting NFκB activation on neuropathic pain using behavior test, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical approaches. The results showed that TSS induced long-lasting mechanical allodynia in bilateral hind paws and increased phospho-NFκB expression in the bilateral DRG. The activated NFκB mainly expressed in nuclei not only of neurons, but also of Schwann cells and satellite glial cells. Moreover, NFκB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) significantly alleviated TSS-induced allodynia. Our results suggest that peripheral NFκB may be involved in TSS-induced neuropathic pain, and provide new evidence for the peripheral mechanism of 'mirror pain'.
Animals ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Hyperalgesia ; physiopathology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neuroglia ; metabolism ; Pain Measurement ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; metabolism ; Sciatic Neuropathy ; physiopathology ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of balance cupping plusYang He decoction in treating granulomatous mastitis (GM).Method Eighty GM patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group according to the last digit of registered number, odd or even, 40 cases each. The control group was treated withYang He decoction; the treatment group was intervened by balance cupping in addition to the treatment given to the control group. They were treated for 6 months in total. The size of lump, swollen size and infection size by the ultrasound B-scanning were observed before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The total effective rate was 82.5％ in the treatment group versus 60.0％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the clinical efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05). The size of lump, swollen area and infection size by the ultrasound B-scanning were significantly changed in the two groups after the treatment (P<0.05); the between-group comparisons showed significant differences after the treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion Balance cupping plusYang He decoction can produce a certain efficacy in treating GM.

AIMTo establish a sensitive and efficient reporter gene-based screening model for finding agonists of estrogen receptor beta subtype.

METHODSA recombinant vector pTAL-ERE-SEAP was constructed by inserting a synthetic sequence composed of five estrogen responsive elements in front of promoter of pTAL-SEAP vector. pTAL-ERE-SEAP was then transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. G418 (200 microg x mL(-1)) was added to select positive clones that can be induced by E2 to express reporter gene SEAP. The speciality was tested by several ligands of relative nuclear receptors of the same family. The stability of the model, the time-effect relationship, the dose-response relationship, and the immunocytochemistry staining of ERbeta expression after transfection were observed. 2 622 compounds were screened by using this model.

RESULTSStably transfected clones were obtained. The expression levels of reporter gene SEAP of positive clones was induced by E2 in a dose-response and time-effect relationship manners. The Z' factor value was 0.7. The expression levels of dexamethasone and other ligands were low. The result of immunocytochemistry staining showed the expression of ERbeta. E2 had no proliferating effects on stably transfected clones.

CONCLUSIONStably transfected positive clones transfected with recombinant vector pTAL-ERE-SEAP were obtained. The positive clones may be used to screen for agonists of estrogen receptor beta subtype by measurement of luminescent value of expressed SEAP in wells of microlitre plate.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; agonists ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Response Elements ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective:To analyze the factors for low libido in male patients with sexual dysfunction and provide some evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the condition.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 111 cases of sex-ual dysfunction(including disorders in erection,ejaculation or libido)treated in the Zhengzhou University First Hospital from June to September 2023.According to the patients'complaints of low libido or accompanied symptoms,we divided them into a normal libido group(n=68)and a low libido(n=43),obtained their scores on IIEF-5,Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool(PEDT),13-1-tem Self-Rating Libido Scale for Males(SRLS-M),Patients'Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)and General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7),examined the levels of the sexual hormones FSH,LH,PRL,T,free testosterone(fT),E2,?insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)and growth hormone(GH),compared the basic parameters between the two groups,and analyzed their correlation with the libido values.Results:The IIEF-5,PEDT and libido scores and IGF-1 level were significantly higher and the GAD-7 score remark-ably lower in the normal than in the low libido group(P＜0.05),but no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the PHQ-9 score and the levels FSH,LH,PRL,T,fT,E2,T/E2 and GH(P＞0.05).The libido value was correla-ted positively with the I1EF-5(r=0.28,P＜0.01)and PEDT scores(r=0.29,P＜0.01)and IGF-1 level(r=0.23,P＜0.05),but negatively with the GAD-7 score(r=-0.21,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Low libido results from multiple factors,which cannot be fully explained by sexual hormone levels but is closely related to the decreased level of IGF-1 and severity of ED and anxiety.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase ; analysis ; physiology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; pathology

With the utilization of diffusion tensor information of image voxels, a novel MRF (Markov Random Field) segmentation algorithm was proposed for diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) images benefitted from the introduction of Frobenius norm. The comparison of the segmentation effects between the proposed algorithm and K-means segmentation algorithm for DT-MRI image was made, which showed that the new algorithm could segment the DT-MRI images more accurately than the K-means algorithm. Moreover, with the same segmentation algorithm of MRF, better outcomes were achieved in DT-MRI than in conventional MRI (T2WI) image.
Algorithms ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Pattern Recognition, Automated