AIM: To assess the changes of macular thickness of acquire immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS) patients.
METHODS:The study based on the data analysis of 38 human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) positive patients ( 64 eyes ) . According to CD4 count and whether cytomegalovirus retinitis ( CMVR) happened, the patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A included 16 patients (32 eyes), in which CD4 count was < 50cells/μL and CMVR did not happen. Group B included 10 patients ( 20 eyes), in which CD4 count was>50cells/μL and CMVR did not happen. Group C included 12 patients (12 eyes), in which CD4 count was < 50cells/μL and CMVR just happened. Group D included 10 healthy people ( 20 eyes ) , as normal control group. By using optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) , thickness of retina along with a 1mm diameter circle centered on macular was evaluated.
RESULTS:The mean foveal thicknesses in groups A, B, C and D were 254. 03±15. 63μm, 263. 11±17. 12μm, 304. 50±50. 62μm and 257. 64±8. 54μm in order. Compared with foveal thickness in each group, there were significant differences in general (F=12. 933, P=0. 000). The mean foveal thickness in groups CMVR increased, which was of significant difference (P= 0. 000), compared with other groups.
CONCLUSION: CMVR can impair the structure and function of macular, which then seriously affects the visual function of patients. It's helpful to understand the progress and prognosis of CMVR disease by observing macular structure with OCT in early time.

Objective To observe efficacy and safety of long-term Statins treatment in elderly patients aged over 80 years,and to provide clinical evidence for the rational use of Statins.Methods 224 patients aged 80 years and over were divided into two groups:Statin group given Statins (n=107),and control group not given Statin (n=117).The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC),lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured,and liver and renal function,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were tested.Results Pretreatment levels of TC and LDL-C levels were (4.6 ± 1.0) and (2.6 ± 0.8) mmol/L and were decreased to (4.3±0.9) and (2.4±0.6) mmol/L after 1 year treatment (t=3.535,3.448,both P＜0.05).The target rate in statin group for LDL C was 35.5 ％ in patients at very high risk.There were no significant differences in levels of ALT,CK and eGFR between pre-and post-treatment in both two groups [(20.2±9.2) U/L vs.(21.4±12.1) U/L,(86.5±53.9) U/L vs.(86.6±67.5) U/Land (53.1±17.3) ml/min vs.(51.9±18.0) ml/min,all P＞0.05].Compared with pre-treatment,1 year treatment showed that glucose level was increased [(5.9± 1.0) mmol/L vs.(6.0± 1.0) mmol/L,t=2.287,P＜0.05].Conclusions Long-term Statin treatment in elderly patients is safe and effective.We should correctly administer statin drugs,and closely monitor the safety indicators.

Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with feeding intolerance in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and to investigate the beneficial factors for preventing feeding intolerance.Methods Retrospectively analysis was carried out in 151 VLBWI cases in our hospital from January 2005 to November 2010.Logistic regression analysis was performed to find the risk factors of feeding intolerance.Results The overall rate of feeding intolerance in VLBWI was 47.7 ％ (72/151).Dysporia and infection were associated with feeding intolerance in VLBWI (Wald x2 =7.748 and 4.555,P =0.05 and 0.033 respectively).Gender,multifetation were not associated with feeding intolerance(Ps ＞0.05).Conclusion The feeding intolerance is associated with dysporia and infection in VLBWI.

Objective To explore neurocognitive characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients ,and to compare the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART ) among patients with different cognitive functions .Methods Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) Chinese version in 118 HIV-positive patients and 62 HIV-negative controls .Among 59 patients on HAART ,CD4 + T cell count and viral load were assessed at enrollment and one-year follow-up .The mean of measurement data was compared using t test ,and enumeration data was analyzed using chi-squared or Fisher exact test when appropriate .Univariate and multivariate analysis were examined using bivariate Logistic regression models .Results Compared with control group ,HIV-infected group was characterized by higher rate of neurocognitive impairment (46 .6% vs 12 .9% , t =20 .30 ,P< 0 .05) ,and generally lower MoCA subscores for visuospatial abilities ,the clock drawing test , naming ,attention ,abstraction and delayed recall (t= - 3 .761 , - 2 .638 , - 4 .263 , - 3 .769 , - 3 .858 and- 3 .111 ,respectively ,all P< 0 .05) .Among patients on HAART ,subjects who scored < 26 showed no significant differences in viral load at three time points (pre-HAART ,post-HAART at enrollment and one-year follow-up) with those who scored ≥ 26 (t = 0 .557 ,0 .737 and - 0 .758 ,respectively ,all P >0 .05) .The former group had lower CD4 + T cell counts both at enrollment ([286 ± 127]/μL vs [363 ± 160]/μL) and one-year follow-up ([334 ± 122]/μL vs [411 ± 152]/μL) than the latter group (t= - 2 .027 and - 2 .067 ,respectively ,both P < 0 .05 ) ,while there were no obvious differences of pretreatment CD4 + T cell counts ([135 ± 77]/μL vs [155 ± 80]/μL) and HAART duration ([22 .29 ± 21 .20] months vs [18 .74 ± 16 .63] months) between these two groups (t= - 0 .968 and 0 .702 ,respectively ,both P>0 .05) .Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR = 1 .044 ,95% CI :1 .008 - 1 .081 , P < 0 .05) and education time (OR = 0 .820 ,95% CI :0 .723 - 0 .930 , P < 0 .05 ) were independent predictors for neurocognitive impairment among HIV-infected patients . Conclusions Neurocognitive impairment is common among HIV-infected patients ,which is characterized by poor performance in multiple domains , and patients with neurocognitive impairment performed poorly in immune recovery .MoCA could be a useful screening tool of cognitive function in HIV-infected patients . Neurocognitive function has no relationship with pre- and post-treatment viral levels .

Aging ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; physiology ; Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Obesity ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Sirtuins ; genetics ; metabolism

AIM:To observe the changes in serum cytokines in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH) following Shenshi Tongluo therapy(discharging damp and dredging collaterals).METHODS:①Forty-three patients with LDH(cold-damp arthralgia type) were selected from Wangjing Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from February to December 2005,and randomly divided into experimental group(n =22) and control group(n =21).The informed consent was obtained from all subjects.Meanwhile,30 healthy volunteers were selected as controls.②The patients in the experimental group orally took modified Semen Coicis decoction(Semen Coicis,eucommia bark,Radix dipsaci,cocculi,Chinese clematis root,caulis millettiae,angelica root,achyranthis,and paeoniae radix) according to Shenshi Tongluo therapy,one dose daily for 4 weeks.The patients in control group took Yaotong Ning capsule,4 pills per day,once daily for 4 weeks.③ Contents of serum interleukin-1 ?(IL-1?),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) in patients were detected using radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.Clinical outcome was evaluated using visual analog scale(VAS) and assessment criteria for low lumbar pain of Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA).RESULTS:①Contents of serum IL-1?,IL-6,and TNF-? in patients were higher than healthy people(P

OBJECTIVETo study clinical value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome.

METHODSFrom December 2013 to July 2014,30 patients diagnosed as neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome were in the treatment group,including 17 males and 13 females, with an average age of (44 ± 3) years old. Thirty healthy people were in the control group, including 22 males and 8 females, with a mean age of (37 ± 5) years old. The patients in the treatment group were treated with manipulation, once every other day, total 7 times. The SWE was used to detect tension part of trapezius muscle of patients in the treatment group before and after treatment, as well as to detect muscle belly at the descending part of trapezius muscle in the control group. The tissue elasticity and Yang's modulus value were recorded and compared.

RESULTSThe tissue elasticity chart of patients in the treatment group before treatment was mainly greenish blue with the score of 3.70 ± 1.53, and the Yang's modulus was (43.4 ± 15.6) kPa. The tissue elasticity figure after treatment was mainly blue with the score of 2.40 ± 0.87, and the Yang's modulus was (29.0 ± 5.9) kPa. Whereas in the control group, the tissue elasticity figure was mainly blue with the score of 1.60 ± 0.72, and the Yang's modulus was (24.0 ± 7.6) kPa. These were statistical differences between the two groups (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSWE can be used as an evaluation method of manipulation treatment for neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, which is an objective and sensitive detection method.

Adult ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Neck ; Shoulder

The aim of the paper is to reveals the variations of Dendrobium officinale amino acids in different strains and parts for breeding excellent varieties, and providing scientific basis for the expanding of medicinal or edible parts. The contents of 17 amino acids in 11 strains of D. officinale were determined by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis method. The total amino acids content of leaves was from 6.76 to 7.97 g per 100 g, and the stems was from 1.61 to 2.44 g per 100 g. As the content of amino acids in leaves was significantly higher than that of stems, and the composition was close to the ideal protein standard proposed by FAO/WHO. The leaves of D. officinale had the good prospect for the development of functional foods. The 9 x 66 strain which with high yield and polysaccharide content had the highest amino acids content both in stems and leaves, indicated crossbreeding could improve the quality of varieties. Compared the amino acids content of D. officinale in two main harvest periods, the harvest time has a significant impact on amino acids content of D. officinale. This study demonstrates that the harvesting time of D. officinale stems is suitable for leaves as well, which is the period before bolssom.
Amino Acids ; chemistry ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; classification

Objective To observe the role and related mechanism of chemerin and its receptor ChemR23 in glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) stimulated by high glucose.Methods Mouse GEnCs were cultured and divided into control group,20.0 mmol/L high glucose group,40.0 mmol/L high glucose group and mannitol control group.Then the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell culture supematant as well as the expressions of intracellular protein and mRNA of chemerin,ChemR23,IL-6 and TNF-α were detected.Lentiviral transfection targeting ChemR23 was applied before high glucose-or Chemerin-stimulated,and expressions of supernatant and intracellular mRNA of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured.Meanwhile whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway was activated by high glucose was detected.The specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK was added prior to high glucose-stimulated,then supernatant and intracellular mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α was detected.The supernatant expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA.The intracellular protein expression and p38 MAPK phosphorylation activity were detected by Western blotting.The mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR.Results Compared with those in the control group,in high glucose groups the expressions of IL-6,TNF-α and chemerin were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05),however,the expressions of ChemR23 did not change (all P ＞ 0.05);the supernatant and mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were also elevated in the chemerin group (all P ＜ 0.05).Lentivirus baring shRNA could efficiently suppress ChemR23 expression,and the Chemerin-or high glucose-induced expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced (all P ＜ 0.05).Also it could significantly reduce the expression of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) induced by high glucose (P ＜ 0.05),as high glucose group had higher p-p38 MAPK than control group (P ＜ 0.05).While the high glucose-elevated expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly attenuated by p38 MAPK inhibitor (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions High glucose stimulation can induce the expression of chemerin in GEnCs.By binding to ChemR23,chemerin activates p38 MAPK signaling pathway,and then promotes the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α.These inflammatory cytokines aggravate inflammation of GEnCs.