Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharynx ; metabolism ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; metabolism

Objective To study the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the evaluation of the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP).Methods 162 patients with CAP were selected as study group.Meanwhile,34 patients with carotid artery strong echo plaques were selected as control group.The color doppler ultrasound was used to observe the CAP.Results The proportions of lipid type,fiber type,calcification and ulcer plaque in the study group were 21.60%,33.33%,34.57% and 10.37%,which were higher than those of the control group (5.88%,2.94%,2.94% and 2.94%),the differences were statistically significant (χ2=4.537,12.859,13.629 and 3.855,all P<0.05).There were 75 patients of soft plaques,36 patients with mixed plaques,51 patients with hard plaque in 162 patients.The new blood vessels classification in soft plaque group (36.00%,45.33% and 10.33%) were higher than the mixed plaque (30.56%,41.67% and 8.33%) and hard plaque group (31.37%,13.72% and 7.84%).The peak intensity (-86.41±7.81) %,tmax (8.34±1.62)s,mean transit time (24.18±8.67)s in the soft plaque group were significantly lower than the mixed plaque [(-100.73±6.52)%,(9.79±2.14)s and (28.93±9.11)s] and hard plaque patients [(-104.14±6.15)%,(10.23±2.33)s and (30.07±9.48)s],the differences were statistically significant (t=9.518,6.966,2.658,13.592,5.374 and 3.064,all P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences between mixed plaque and hard plaque (all P>0.05).The plaque diameter (4.13±0.75)mm diagnosed by CEUS was significantly larger than that of conventional ultrasound [(3.62±1.14)mm],the difference was statistically significant (t=4.757,P=0.000).Conclusion The CEUS can qualitatively detect the atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis,can quantitatively assess plaque,evaluate the stability of the plaques,and the sensitivity is high.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor activity of Diosgenin in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS-180, HepA, U14 and EAC transplant mice were given Diosgenin ig or i.p. everyday for 10 days, from the next day when they were inoculated in axilla. Tumor growth inhibit rates were calculated. Four kinds of cells, MCF, L929, A375-S2 and HeLa, were incubated respectively with Diosgenin in vitro. Tumor growth inhibit rates were also calculated.

RESULTIn vivo, both ig and i.p., Diosgenin inhibited S-180, HepA, U 14 mice transplant tumor, the inhibit rates being 30%-50%, but it did not inhibit the EAC mice transplant tumor. In vitro, Diosgenin inhibited L929, HeLa, MCF cell growth, and IC50 were 1.2, 18.2, 19.8 micrograms.mL-1 respectively, but it did not significantly affect A375-S2 cells.

CONCLUSIONDiosgenin has an obvious antitumor activity on S-180, HepA, U14 transplant mice in vivo and L929, HeLa, MCF cells in vitro.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; drug therapy ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Diosgenin ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sarcoma 180 ; drug therapy ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects

Objective To observe the effect of Yang-warming and Qi-tonifying Recipe (YQP)on aquaporin 3(AQP3) and AQP8 in rats with slow transit constipation,and to explore its therapeutic mechanism. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into modeling group(N=30)and normal control group(N = 10). After successful modeling by gastric gavage of loperamide,the modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,YQP group and Mosapride group,10 rats in each group,and were separately treated with corresponding medicine for 2 weeks. After treatment, the colonic transit function was measured by carbon propelling test. The protein levels of AQP3 and AQP8 were detected by immunohistochemistry and their mRNA expression levels were detected with real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results Compared with the normal control group,the propelling rate of carbon particle in the model group was decreased,and the protein and mRNA expression levels of AQP3 and AQP8 were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the propelling rate of carbon particle of YQP group and mosapride group was significantly increased, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of AQP3 and AQP8 were significantly decreased (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between YQP group and mosapride group (P >0.05). Conclusion YQP had therapeutic effects on loperamide-induced constipation through decreasing the expression of AQP3 and AQP8 in the intestine,reducing the reabsorption of intestinal fluid, and increasing the fecal water content.

Objective To study the correlation between the changes of serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) level and psychological statuses in patients with cerebral concussion.Methods Forty patients with cerebral concussion,admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to December 2012,were chosen in our study as experimental group,and other 40 healthy controls performed physical examination in our Physical Examination Center at the same period were chosen.The serum NSE level in the two groups was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) scale was performed in 40 patients at different times after injury,and these data were compared with those from the national norm; the correlation between the changes of serum NSE level and SCL-90 scores was analyzed.Results The serum NSE level in the experimental group 1 d after the injury was obviously higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05); 3 and 7 d after the injury,the serum NSE level in the experimental group was close to normal level,which showed no significant differece as compared with that in the control group (P＞0.05).The SCL-90 scores in the experiemtal group 1,3 and 7 d after injury was signficantly higher than that of the national norm (P＜0.05).Positive corelation was noted between serum NSE level and SCL-90 scores 1 and 3 d after injury (r=0.498,P=0.001; r=0.418,P=0.007);however,negative corelation was noted btween the two 7 d after injury (r=0.213,P=0.186).Conclusion Different corelation can be noted between serum NSE level and SCL-90 scores at different time points;combined application of serum NSE level and SCL-90 scores can promote the diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain concussion.

BACKGROUNDOligosaccharides in human milk may protect infants by improving the intestinal micro-flora and fermentation. This study was to investigate effects of infant formula milk consisting of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal microbial populations and the fermentation characteristics in term infants in comparison with that of human milk.

METHODSThe test formula (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) was supplemented with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl. Human milk and another formula without oligosaccharides (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) were used as positive and negative control respectively. Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects of the recruited infants were recorded after 3 and 6 months' follow-up, and the fecal species were collected for the analysis of intestinal micro-flora, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and pH.

RESULTSAt the end of 3- and 6-month feeding period, intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk when compared with infants fed with negative control formula; however, there was no statistically significant difference between GOS supplemented formula and human milk groups. Stool characteristics were influenced by the supplement and main fecal SCFA (acetic), and stool frequency were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk, while the fecal pH was significantly decreased as compared with that of negative control (P < 0.05). Supplementation had no influence on incidence of side effects (including crying, regurgitation and vomiting).

CONCLUSIONSSupplementing infant formula with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl stimulates the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine and stool characteristics are similar to in term infants fed with human milk.

Bifidobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Dietary Supplements ; Galactose ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Wnt signaling suppression on proliferation of non small cell lung cancer to gefitinib, and its related mechanisms.

METHODSPC9 and PC9/AB2 cells of both gefitinib sensitive and resistant were treated with different concentrations of gefitinib, and the proliferation index was measured using CCK8 kit. The members of Wnt signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. Dual luciferase reportor gene assay (TOP Flash) was used to document the transcriptional level of β-catenin. β-catenin siRNA was transfected into PC9/AB2 cells to suppress the Wnt signaling transcription, followed by treatment with different concentrations of gefitinib. Western blot was then used to detect the expression of EGFR and its downstream signaling after inhibit the expression of β-catenin.

RESULTSTreating with different concentrations of gefitinib, the resistance of PC9/AB2 cells to gefitinib was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The members of Wnt signaling expressed at higher level in PC9/AB2 cells than in PC9 cells (t = 24.590, P = 0.000). TOP Flash examination showed that the endogenous transcriptional activity of Wnt signaling was higher in PC9/AB2 cell than that in PC9 cell (t = 4.983, P = 0.008). Compared with the negative control group, apoptotic rate and sensitivity to gefitinib significantly increased in interfered group (P < 0.05). The expression of p-ERK1/2 significantly decreased after Wnt signaling suppression, although other proteins showed no significant alterations.

CONCLUSIONSuppressing the activity of Wnt signaling can partly reverse the celluar resistance to gefitinib in non small cell lung cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of two different acupuncture treatment on cerebral blood flow velocity and early rehabilitation of hemiparalysis caused by cerebral infarction.

METHODSEighty patients were randomly divided into an alternate acupuncture group (n = 40) and a routine acupuncture group (n = 40). Both of the groups were treated with routine neurology medicine and application of good limb position combined with acupuncture. The patients in the alternate acupuncture group were treated by opposing needling and non-opposing needling, i. e. acupuncture at acupoints on both the healthy and affected sides alternately, twice each day, respectively. The routine acupuncture group was treated by acupuncture at the affected side, once daily. Scores of Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) were evaluated before and after treatment in the two groups, and the mean blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery (MCA) on the affected side was monitored during two different acupuncture treatment by using Transcranial Doppler (TCD).

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 65.0% in the alternate acupuncture group and 37.5% in the routine acupuncture group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). After treatment, the SSS score in the alternate acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.01). The mean blood flow velocity of MCA during two different acupuncture treatment was both decreased significantly (both P < 0.05) and the mean blood flow velocity of MCA before the last treatment was decreased significantly in the alternate acupuncture group than those in the routine acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of the alternate acupuncture program for hemiparalysis caused by cerebral infarction is superior to that of the routine acupuncture program. It is suggested that the mechanism of acupuncture in treating hemiparalysis caused by cerebral infarction is to dilate cerebral blood vessels and improve cerebral perfusion.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Cerebral Arteries ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Infarction ; complications ; Hemiplegia ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Animals ; Cattle ; Child Development ; Dietary Supplements ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Growth ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Milk

Objective To analyze the changes of the main clinic parameters in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) treated by watchful waiting and to find out the risk factors contributing the progress of BPH. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 61 patients diagnosed as BPH were recruited in the group of watchful waiting. Data on IPSS, prostate volume, prostate specific antigen(PSA), maxium flow rate, average flow rate and residual urine volume during follow-up period of 24 months, were recorded. Results At 0, 12, 24 months, the IPSS, prostate volume (ml), PSA(ng/ml),maxium flow rate (ml/s) were 7±4, 4±3, 4±3 ; 33.0±9.0, 33.8±7.6, 30.9±6.8 ; 1.53±1.35,1.43±0.95, 1.22±0.99; 17.1±5.0, 17.2±6.1, 19.2±8.0, respectively. At the end of the 24-months follow-up, all observed parameters had a little improvement except the average prostate volume in this group. Of the 61 patients, 42(62%) progressed slowly or became better when comparing with baseline data of the study. Moreover, the difference between at 24-month and at baseline period, IPSS showed statistical significance (P＜0.0001) in t test. In the study of BPH progression risk factors by logistic regression analysis, prostate volume( P = 0. 0910) and residual urine volume( P = 0. 0780) showed a trend of becoming the risk factors. Conclusion Our study showed that patients treated with watchful waiting had slow progression and majority of these patients did not need to alter their treatment options.Through data analysis, we noticed that the changes of data watchful waiting patients could help us to choose more precise and reasonable treatment option in clinical pratice.[ Key words ] Benign prostate hyperplasia; Prostate volume; Residual urine; Watchful waiting;Follow-up