Objective To explore the significance of combined detection of D-Dimer,cardic troponin I(cTnI)and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-ProBNP)in acute coronary syndrome and the correlation between them.Methods 143 patients with acute coronary syndrome were selected as the observation group,and 40 CAG negative people as the control group.The difference between the two groups was compared and the correlation was analyzed.According to different diagnostics,patients in the observa-tion group were separated into 3 groups,unstable angina pectoris,non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.The correlation of D-Dimer,cTnI and NT-ProBNP with the severity of coronary artery disease was analyzed.Results The levels of D-Dimer,cTnI and NT-ProBNP in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05 ).The severity of coronary artery disease had positive correlation with the test results (P <0.05).Conclusion The combined detection of D-Dimer,cTnI and NT-ProBNP could help to diagnose the acute coronary syndrome and the test result has a positive correlation with the severity of acute coronary syndrome.

Objective To develop and validate a simple and reliable HPLC method for the analysis of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma and to investigate its clinical significance as a potentially useful index of infertile.Methods After proteins in seminal plasma are precipitated with acetonitrile,L-carnitine in seminal plasma was derivatized to form its ester.HPLC separation of the sample solution was performed on a Lichrospher SiO_2 column and detected by ultraviolet absorbance at 260 nm.A mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-citrie acid buffer(containing 12 mmol/L triethanolamine,pH 5.0)was found to be the most suitable for this separation at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min and enabled the baseline separation of the L-carnitine from interferences with isocratic elution.The L-carnitine levels in seminal plasma were studied in both 87 patients with infertility and 30 control subjects.Results Under the chromatographic conditions described, the L-carnitine derivative had a retention time of approximately 13 min.Good separation and detectability of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma sample were obtained.The method proved to be linear in the range of L-carnitine from 0 ?mol/L to 1000 ?mol/L.The relative standard deviations of within-and between-assay for L-carnitine analysis were 1.23% and 1.36%,respectively.The recoveries were 91.6% -96.5% for the human seminal plasma samples.L-carnitine concentrations in the populations were(392.7?107.2)?mol/L in the fertile group(n=30),(270.0?83.9)?mol/L in asthenozoospermia group(n=29),(187.9? 43.9)?mol/L in oligozoospermia group(n=19)and(175.7?67.1)?mol/L in oligoasthenozoospermia group(n=39).The large difference(P0.05).Conclusion The determination of L-carnitine level in seminal plasma may prove useful as a potentially biochemical marker of fertility and this is a useful guidance for the clinic therapy and the mechanismic study on the male reproduction.

Objective To observe the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in improving the memory function and quality of life of patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods Sixty patients with brain injury were randomly divided into the treatmem group and control group. The patients in the control group received conventional treatments (including medications, acupuncture and exercise training), and those in the treatment group were given additional low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. Scores of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and Functional independence Measure (FIM) were recorded before and after the treatments and compared between the two groups. Results The patients in both of the groups showed significant improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments (P<0.05). The improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly improve the cognitive function and functional independence of patients with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of the level of free L-carnitine with accessory gland markers and its clinical significance.

METHODSSemen samples from 30 fertile men and 222 infertile patients were collected by masturbation. The measurement of the semen quality was carried out by computer-assisted semen analysis system. The seminal plasma components of free L-carnitine, alpha-glucosidase, fructose and acid phosphatase were determined. The results obtained were statistically calculated with an SPSS 12.0 program to evaluate the difference between the control group and the infertile one and the correlation of the free L-carnitine levels with the seminal plasma components of alpha-glucosidase, fructose and acid phosphatase.

RESULTSThe concentration of free L-carnitine (P < 0.01) and the activity of alpha-glucosidase (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced in the infertile group as compared with the control, with no significant difference in the concentration of fructose and the activity of acid phosphatase between the two groups. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between seminal plasma free L-carnitine level and alpha-glucosidase activity (r = 0.504, P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONThe determination of free L-carnitine level in seminal plasma is a useful test in the evaluation of epididymal function, which may serve as a guidance for the clinical treatment of male infertility as well as for the study on the mechanisms of male reproduction.

Acid Phosphatase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Adult ; Carnitine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Fructose ; analysis ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine on asthenospermia with epididymal knob.

METHODSThirty-five patients aged 25-39 years with asthenospermia with epididymal knob were received at our clinic of andrology from May 2003 to July 2004, and given oral L-carnitine 2 g/d for 3 months. The sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after L-carnitine treatment.

RESULTSOf the 32 patients who accomplished the 3-month L-carnitine therapy, only 4 remained unimproved in sperm parameters, while the other 28 were significantly improved in sperm concentration, forward sperm motility, total sperm motility, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity and average path velocity. Four of the patients wives were pregnant and one patient fathered a child.

CONCLUSIONOral L-carnitine therapy is efficacious for asthenospermia with epididymal knob.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Epididymis ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin B Complex ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the difference of the free L-carnitine level in seminal plasma between fertile and infertile men and the correlation of free L-carnitine with semen quality, and to study the effect of L-carnitine on male fertility and its role in the evaluation and treatment of male infertility.

METHODSSemen samples of 230 infertile (normozoospermia, n=117, oligozoospermia, n=81, azoospermia, n=32) and 30 fertile men were collected and the level of free L-carnitine in seminal plasma and such sperm parameters as sperm concentration, motility and vitality, were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and computer-assisted semen analysis system, respectively. The results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 software.

RESULTSThe level of free L-carnitine in the seminal plasma of the fertile men was significantly higher than that of the infertile (P < 0.01). The lower the sperm concentration, the weaker the sperm vitality, the more significant the difference. The level of free L-carnitine in the semen was positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.521, P < 0.001), and sperm motility (r = 0.319, P < 0.001) and vitality (r = 0.251, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe level of free L-carnitine in seminal plasma, significantly correlated with sperm concentration, motility and vitality, can be taken as a biochemical index used as a guidance for the clinical treatment of male infertility as well as for the study on the mechanisms of male reproduction.

Adult ; Carnitine ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo determine the impact of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection on the integrity of sperm plasma membrane in infertile males.

METHODSSixty-three semen samples were divided into a Uu infection group (n = 32) and a normal control group (n = 31). Conventional semen analyses were performed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and Uu detected by the culture method. The semen samples were washed with PBS and dyed by SYBR-14/PI double fluorescent staining, followed by detection of the integrity of sperm plasma membrane by flow cytometry. The percentage of the sperm with intact plasma membrane was indicated as the percentage of sperm emitting green fluorescence (SYBR-14+/PI-%).

RESULTSThe Uu infection group showed a significantly decreased integrity of sperm plasma membrane ([45.14 +/- 10.69]%) and reduced percentage of grade a + b sperm ([23.29 +/- 8.81]%) as compared with the normal control group ([72.68 +/- 9.91]% and [46.32 +/- 9.54]%) (P < 0.01). But there were no significant differences in the semen volume, pH value, and sperm concentration between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUu infection decreases the integrity of sperm plasma membrane, which might be an important factor of male infertility.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Membrane ; pathology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; microbiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Organic Chemicals ; Semen Analysis ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ureaplasma Infections ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between Fc γ RIII A (CD16A) and aortic atherosclerotic plaque destabilization in apoE knockout (apoE KO) mice and the intervention effects of effective components of chuanxiong rhizome and red peony root.

METHODSEight 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. Forty 8-week-old male apoE KO mice were randomly divided into the model group, apoE KO + intraperitoneal injection immunoglobulin group (IVIG), apoE KO + simvastatin group (Sm), apoE KO + high dosage of xiongshao capsule (XSC) group (XSCH), and apoE KO + low dosage of XSC group (XSCL), 8 mice in each group. Mice in the control group were put on a normal diet, and others were fed with a high-fat diet. After 10-week different interventions, monocyte CD16 expression was detected by flow cytometry, aortic matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA expression was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, monocyte CD16 expression, aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression, and serum TNF-α level in the model group increased obviously (P<0.01). Injections of apoE KO mice with intraperitoneal immunoglobulin during a 5-day period significantly reduced the monocyte CD16 expression, aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression, and serum TNF-α level (P<0.01 or 0.05) over a 10-week period of high-fat diet. Indices above in the Sm group, XSCH group, and XSCL group decreased in a different degree. Of them, the aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression in XSCH group was lower than that in Sm group (P<0.05) and the monocyte CD16 expression and serum TNF-α level showed no significant difference between XSCH group and Sm group (P>0.05). Correlation analyses suggested positive correlation between monocyte CD16 expression and aortic MMP-9 mRNA expression or serum TNF-α level in IVIG group, XSCH group, and XSCL group.

CONCLUSIONSFcγR III A mediates systemic inflammation in the progression of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome. XSC could stabilize atherosclerotic plaque by suppressing inflammation and its target was relative with FcγRIII A.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, IgG ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To observe the effect of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at uninjured side on memory and quality of life in patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods From September, 2013 to June, 2015, 60 cases of memory impairment af-ter traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and observation group (n=30). The control group was given neu-rosurgical conventional treatment;the observation group was given low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in addition, for four weeks. The scores of Rivermead Behavior Memory Test (RBMT) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHO-QOL-BREF) were observed before and after treatment in both groups. Results After treatment, there was no significant difference in the RBMT score in the control group (t=1.233, P=0.223);the RBMT score increased in the observation group (t=2.186, P=0.033);and there was no significant difference between two groups (t=1.133, P=0.262). After treatment, the WHOQOL-BREF score increased in physical health in the control group (t=5.606, P<0.001), while it increased in the physical, psychological health, and environment in the observation group (t>2.879, P<0.01), which were higher in the observation group than in the control group (t>2.095, P<0.05). There was no significant differ-ence in the social relationship between two groups (t=0.508, P=0.614). Conclusion Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula-tion at uninjured side could improve the memory ability and quality of life for patients with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anginal attack-relieving efficacy and safety of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KA) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSA total of 780 patients confirmatively diagnosed as CHD angina from November 2011 to December 2012 in 13 medical centers in the mainland area were assigned to 2 groups by blocked randomization, the treatment group (376 cases) and the control group (374 cases). When the angina attacked, patients in the treatment group received sublingual spray three times, 0.6 mL each time, while those in the control group sublingually dissolved Nitroglycerin Tablet (NT), 0.5 mg each tablet. The effective rate of angina relief, efficacy of electrocardiogram (ECG), and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed.

RESULTSThe 3 min and 5 min remission rates of angina attack were 53.72% (202/376) and 94.41% (355/376) in the treatment group, and 47.86% (179/374) and 90.64% (339/374) in the control group. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between the 2 groups of 3 min and 5 min remission rates of angina attacks were [(-1.84%, 12.32%) and (-1.33%, 6.85%) respectively, P > 0.05]. The total improvement rates of ST-T changes in the treatment group and the control group after treatment were 74.07% and 73.13% respectively (P > 0.05). The adverse reaction rate was 9.31 (35/376 cases) in the treatment group and 22.46% (84/374 cases) in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONKA was not inferior to NT in relieving anginal attacks and improving ischemic ECG changes, and had obviously less adverse reaction.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; drug therapy ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oils, Volatile ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy