Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Reference Values ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency

Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of metastastic lymph node ratio in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Clinical data of 319 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy with at least 15 lymph nodes dissected per patient were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the TNM staging system (1997,5th edition): pN0 (no positive lymph node), pN1(with 1～6 metastatic lymph nodes), pN2 group (with 7～15 metastatic lymph nodes), and pN3 group (with more than 15 metastatic lymph nodes), or into 4 groups according to the lymph node metastatic ratio: rN0 group (without metastasis of lymph node), rN1 group (with a lymph node metastatic ratio of <30%), rN2 group (with a lymph node metastatic ratio of 30%～60%), and rN3 group ( with a lymph node metastatic ratio of >60%). Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were assessed by the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the COX proportional hazard regression model in forward stepwise regression with SPSS 13.0. Results Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the metastatic lymph node ratio significantly influenced the postoperative survival time. According to the lymph node metastasis system 77 patients were in group 1, 109in group 2, 60 in group 3, and 73 in group 4. The 2-year survival rate was 84.4%,66.1%, 35.0%,and 15.1% respectively, 3-year survival rate was 80.5%,45.0%,15.0% and 5.5% respectively, and 4-year survival rate was 71.4%,33.0%,5.0% and 1.4% respectively. If cases with the same positive number of lymph node (pN) group were stratified futher by lymph node metastatic ratio, there were no significant differences in the 3-year survival rate among the new rN groups (P>0.05), but there was a great difference in the distribution of prognosis among different groups. COX proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the metastatic lymph node ratio was an independent factor for poor prognosis. Lymph node metastatic ratio was closely related with the location, modality of the operation and infiltration depth. Conclusions The staging system based on metastatic lymph node ratio is more reliable than the system based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes in the prediction of the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate( Art) on renal function and the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in rats with type 2 diabetic nephropathy(DN). Methods Thirty six male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, six rats in each, as the normal control, model control, low-dose Art, middle-dose Art, high-dose Art groups which were intragastrically administrated with Art at the dose of 10, 20 and 30 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 for consecutive 8 weeks, enalapril group, which were intragastrically administrated with enalapril 10 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 for consecutive 8 weeks. Rats were injected with low dosage streptozotocin and fed with high fat and high sugar diets to establish type 2 diabetic nephropathy rat model. After 8 weeks’ treatment, the plasma glucose, 24-hour urine protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were measured to evaluate renal function. The pathological morphology of rats was performed. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) were performed to examine the expression levels of MCP-1 and TNF-α,respectively. Results Compared with the model control group, 24-hour urine protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose were significantly decreased in the treatment groups (P<0. 01). Art significantly decreased the serum expressions of MCP-1 and TNF-α in low-, middle-, high-dose Art group ( 157. 47 ± 38. 53, 138.65±18.03,105.09±12. 64 and 3. 14±0. 38,2. 58±0. 11,2. 25±0. 16) pg·mL-1, compared with model control group (181.71±23.06 and 3. 98±0. 24) pg·mL-1(P<0. 05). Conclusion Art has beneficial effects on type 2 diabetic nephropathy. The mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory factor MCP-1 and TNF-α,further relive the pathological injury of kidney and delay the progress of diabetic nephropathy to some extent.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at point Shanzhong(CV17) plus cupping on Back-Shu points in treating migraine. Methods Seventy migraine patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 35 cases each. The control group received conventional acupuncture and the treatment group, acupuncture at point Shanzhong(CV17) plus cupping on Back-Shu points in addition. The VAS score was counted in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 88.6%and 100.0%, respectively, in the treatment group and 62.9%and 94.3%, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the cure and marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the VAS score in the two groups (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the VAS score between the treatment and control groups (P>0.01). The clinical symptom improvement rate was (78.3±10.6)%in the treatment group and (49.8±11.2)%in the control group;there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Shanzhong plus cupping on Back-Shu(CV17) points is an effective way to treat migraine.

Objective To investigate effect of artesunate on expressions of Toll-like receotor-4 (TLR4) and interleu?kin-8 (IL-8) in renal tissue of diabetic nephropathy rats. Methods Male SD rats of over 200 g in body weight (n=45) were injected with low dosage streptozotocin and fed with high fat and sucrose diets to establish diabetes nephropathy (DN) model. Among all rats of successful model, thirty-two were randomly selected and divided into four groups (n=8 in each group), Mod?el group (Group B), Artesunate at high dose treatment group [30 mg/(kg · d)] (Group C), Artesunate at low dose treatment group [10 mg/(kg·d)] (Group D), Enalapril treatment group [10 mg/(kg·d)] (Group E). Another eight rats without STZ injec?tion whose body weight is under 200 g were assigned as Normal group (Group A). Then, rats in Group A and B were given the same volume of normal saline [10 mg/(kg·d)] while rats in Group C, D and E were given 30 mg/(kg·d) Artesunate, 10 mg/(kg·d) Artesunate and 10 mg/(kg · d) Enalapril respectively intragastrically for consecutive 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, kidney index, 24-hours proteinuria, serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Expression level of TLR4 in renal tissue of rats were examined by Western blot;ELISA was used to quantify the concentration of IL-8 in serum and renal tissue of rats. Results Compared with rats in Group A, the levels of Fasting blood glucose, kidney index , 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN as well as the level of TLR4 in kidney, levels of IL-8 in serum and kidney all significant?ly increased in rats in Group B, C, D and E(P<0.05). On the other hand, body weight were decreased in rats of Group B, C, D and E compared to rats in Group A(P<0.05). The level of TLR4 in kidney, levels of IL-8 in serum and kidney, 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN in rats of Group C, D and E were significantly lower than those in rats of Group B(P<0.05). Furthermore, compared with rats in Group D, the levels of TLR4 in kidney, IL-8 in serum and kidney, 24-hours proteinuria, Cr and BUN were decreased in rats in Group C and E(P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression lev?el of TLR4 positively correlated with IL-8 level in serum (r=0.969, P<0.05), IL-8 level in kidney (r=0.972, P<0.05), 24-hours proteinuria(r=0.965, P<0.05), Cr(r=0.944, P<0.05)and BUN(r=0.903, P<0.05). IL-8 level in kidney positively correlated with 24-hours proteinuria(r=0.962, P<0.05), Cr(r=0.929, P<0.05)and BUN(r=0.940, P<0.05). Conclu?sion Artesunate decreases expression of TLR4 and IL-8, reduce 24-hours proteinuria, inhibits the inflammation of the DN,relives the pathological lesions of nephron rats with diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To evaluate the role of spinal sigma-1 receptors in the maintenance of bone cancer pain (BCP) in rats and the relationship with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).Methods Part Ⅰ Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-220 g,were randomized into 2 groups using a random number table:sham operation group (S group,n =4) and BCP group (n =20).BCP was induced by inoculating Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells into the medullary cavity of the right tibia.Four rats were sacrificed on day 10 after inoculation in S group or on day 3,5,7,10 and 14 after inoculation in BCP group,and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed to measure the expression of sigma-1 receptors by Western blot.Part Ⅱ Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-220 g,were randomized into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),sigma-1 receptor inhibitor BD1047 group (BD group),BCP group,and BCP + BD1047 group (BCP + BD group).On day 10 to 14 after inoculation,normal saline 20 μl was injected intrathecally once a day in S and BCP groups,or BD1047 120 nmol/20μl was injected intrathecally once a day in BD and BCP + BD groups.Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) to yon Frey filament stimulation was measured one day before inoculation,on day 3,5 and 7 after inoculation,and on day 10,12 and 14 after administration.After measurement of MWT on day 14 after inoculation,the rats were sacrificed and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed to determine the expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) by Western blot.Results Part Ⅰ Compared with group S,the expression of sigma-1 was significantly up-regulated and peaked on day 10 after operation in group BCP.Part Ⅱ Compared with S group,no significant changes were found in MWT and p-ERK expression at each time point in BD group,and MWT was decreased and p-ERK expression was up-regulated in BCP and BCP + BD groups.Compared with group BCP,after intrathecal injection of BD1047,MWT was significantly increased and the expression of p-ERK was down-regulated in BCP + BD group.Conclusion Spinal sigma-1 receptors are involved in the maintenance of BCP in rats possibly through promoting phosphorylation of ERK.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with manual repositioning for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods:A total of 76 BPPV cases were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=38) and a control group (n=38). Patients in the observation group received ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Tinggong (SI 19) plus manual repositioning, whereas patients in the control group received the same manual repositioning alone. Results: After 48 h of treatment, the total effective rate was 94.7% in the observation group, versus 86.8% in the control group; after 7 d of treatment, the total effective rate was 78.9% in the observation group, versus 73.7% in the control group, both showing between-group statistical differences (P<0.05). The follow-up after 3 months showed that 2 cases (6.7%) got relapse in the observation group, versus 8 cases (28.6%) in the control group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate was 2.6% in the observation group, versus 21.1% in the control group, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05).Conclusion: Ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Tinggong (SI 19) plus manual repositioning can obtain better effect for BPPV than manual repositioning alone. In addition, this therapy has stable efficacy and causes less adverse reactions.

Objective To investigate the correlation between inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke in Chinese Han population.Methods Patients with first-ever stroke and the age-and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Taqman probe fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect the genotype distribution of rs2779248 C/T and rs1137933 C/T polymorphisms.Results A total of 246 patients with ischemic stroke and 246 controls were enrolled.The distribution frequencies of rs2779248 CC,CT and TT genotypes in the patient group were 57.7％,36.6％,and 5.7％,respectively,and in the control group were 68.7％,28.0％,and 3.3％,respectively.The T allele frequency of the patient group was significantly higher than that of the control group (24.0％ vs.17.3％;P =0.015).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for the risk factors including age,sex,hypertension,and diabetes,the risk of ischemic stroke in the CT + TT genotype carriers was 1.64 times of the CC genotype carriers (odds ratio 1.64,95％ confidence interval 1.07-2.51;P=0.022).The distribution frequencies of rs1137933 CC,CT and TT in the patient group were 58.1％,37.8％,and 4.1％,respectively and in the control group were 68.3％,29.3％,and 2.4％,respectively.The T allele frequency of the patient group was significantly higher than that of the control group (23.0％ vs.17.1％;P =0.013).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for traditional risk factors,the risk of ischemic stroke of patients with the TT + CT genotype carriers was 1.60 times of the CC genotype carriers (odds ratio 1.60,95％ confidence interval 1.05-2.46;P=0.030).Conclusions The rs2779248 C/T and rs1137933 C/T polymorphisms in iNOS gene may be associated with the risk of onset of ischemic stroke in Chinese Han population.

the effect of maintaining integrity of epithelial cells by increasing occludin protein expression,and the effect is related with the up-regulation of occludin mRNA.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) transplantation via renal artery in treating experimental rats with adriamycin-induced chronic nephro -pathy.Methods A total of 50 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used as experimental animals.Two rats were used for the isolation and culture of BMSC.Twelve rats were designed as blank control group (group N);in other 36 rats adriamycin was injected through caudal vein to establish rat models of chronic nephropathy,these 36 rats were randomly and equally divided into three groups with 12 rats in each group:control group (group C,n=12),BMSC transplantation via renal artery group (group A,n=12),and BMSC transplantation via caudal vein group (group V,n=12).For the rats of group N,the same amount of normal saline was injected through caudal vein.Results At each observation point,the levels of blood urea nitrogen,serum creatinine,24 h urinary protein and 24 h urinary microprotein in group A,V and C were remarkably higher than those in group N (P＜0.01).One and two weeks after BMSC transplantation,the 24 h urinary microprotein level in group A was significantly lower than that in group C (P＜0.01);the serum creatinine level in group A was significantly lower than that in group C and group V (P＜0.01).One week after BMSC transplantation,both the 24 h urinary protein level and 24 h urinary microprotein level in group A were strikingly lower than those in group V (P＜0.01),but two weeks after BMSC transplantation these differences between group A and group V became not statistically significant.Conclusion BMSC transplantation via renal artery can improve cell-homing efficiency and improve the repair of damaged tissue as well.