Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Middle Aged

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Silicosis ; surgery

ABSTRACT:Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Xi’an City by ultrasonography and study the correlation between thyroid nodules and the components of metabolic syndrome.Methods We recruited 4 527 subjects in this cross-sectional study and divided them into thyroid nodules (TN)group and non-thyroid nodules (NTN)group.The height,weight,blood pressure,blood sugar,lipid,and serum uric acid were measured and analyzed.The relationship between thyroid nodules and thyroid function was assessed in the subjects who received TT3,TT4,TSH,TGAB,and TPOAB tests.Results ① The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 31.8% and was significantly higher in the female patients (38.4% vs.27.1%,χ2=64.44,P<0.001).However,the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.1% and was significantly higher in the male ones (11.4% vs.5.9%,χ2=40.39,P<0.001).② Compared with that in NTN group,TT3 in TN group was significantly increased (t=6.04,P<0.001), but the other indexes did not obviously change in the two groups (P>0.05).③ Age,systolic blood pressure,and TG,LDL-C and serum uric acid levels were remarkably higher in TN group than in NTN group (P<0.001 ). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules in Xi’an City is noticeably high.High systolic blood pressure level, dyslipidemia and elevated uric acid are associated with thyroid nodules.Therefore,screening and management of the individuals with aforementioned characteristics deserve more attention.

Objective To study the relationship in displaying nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)lesions with different MR imagingprotocols.Methods 67cases of NPC proved by pathology were reviewed. Each patient was scanned with six MR imaging protocols (Tra T_1WI, TraT_2WI , SagT_1WI , CorFSIR , TraCE-T_1WI , CorCE-T_1WI ).Results All cases were displayed as mucosal thickening and /or soft tissue masses of nasopharynx. The involved parts were as follows: parapharyngeal spaces in 49 cases(73.1%) ,carotid sheaths in 33 cases ( 49.3% ) , prevertebral muscles in 32 cases ( 47.8% ) , medial pterygoids in 15 cases ( 22.4% ) , lateral pterygoids in 7 cases ( 10.4% ) , pterygoid plates in 9 cases ( 13.4% ) ,pterygopalatine fossae in 5 cases (7.5%), sphenoidal sinuses in 16 cases(23.9%), ethmoidal sinuses in 6 cases(9.0%), maxillary sinuses in 3 cases(4.5%),orbital cavity in 1 case (1.5% ), sphenoid bones in 12 cases(17.9%), petrous apices in 19 cases(28.4%), clivuses in 41 cases(61.2%), cavernous sinuses in 7 cases(10.4%), temporal lobes in 3 cases(4.5%) and cervical lymphnode mestases in 45 cases(67.2%). The lesions displayed by combination of TraT_2WI, SagT_1WI , CorFSIR and CorCE-T_1WI were corresponded with those displayed by the all six MR imaging protocols . Conclusion One or more MR imaging protocols can be optimized for displaying each lesion of NPC. The combination of Tra T_2WI , Sag T_1WI , CorFS IR and Cor CE -T_1WI can display NPC lesions completely.

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Huangkui capsule (HKC) on renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODRats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 7), the low dose of HKC-treated group (L-HKC group, n = 7), the high dose of HKC-treated group (H-HKC group, n = 7) and the lipoic acid (LA)-treated group (LA group, n = 7). DN models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ,35 mg x kg(-1)) twice and unilateral nephrectomy. After models were successfully established, the rats in HKC and LA groups were daily administrated with HKC suspensions (0.75, 2 g x kg(-1)) or LA suspensions (60 mg x kg(-1)) respectively, and at the same time, the rats in Vehicle group were daily administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of week 8 to collect blood and renal tissues. UAlb, renal function, renal fibrotic morphologic characteristics, as well as oxidative stress (OS)-related markers, the protein expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway, fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors were examined respectively.

RESULTHKC, similar to LA, improved the general state of health, body weight, UAlb, BUN, UA and Alb in DN model rats. Of note, renal fibrosis was ameliorated in HKC groups,especially in H-HKC group which was better than that in LA group. In addition, HKC not only improved the main indexes of OS in the kidney like LA, but also down-regulated the protein expressions of phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the kidney, whereas, LA only decreased the protein expression of TNF-α in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONHKC, similar to LA, has the actions of anti-OS in vivo. Moreover, HKC could attenuate renal fibrosis by suppressing the activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway and the protein expressions of fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors in the kidney in DN model rats, which is different from LA.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Animals ; Capsules ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

In the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), reactive oxygen specie (ROS) over much in vivo leads to oxidative stress(OS)-related renal injuries, which are characterized by the structural and functional changes in glomerular and renal tubular cells in morphology. The regulative approaches of OS involve the several signaling pathways, in which, both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway play the important roles as the target of anti-oxidants. The interventional actions of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions and the extracts of single Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on OS in the kidney in DN include regulating the balance between ROS and antioxidants, reducing the production of AGEs, inhibiting the expression of growth factors and intervening the activity of signaling pathways.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), a powerful inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), on pneumocyte apoptosis, the release of cytochrome C and the activity of caspase-3 after lung ischemia/reperfusion, and explore the mechanisms.

METHODSSingle lung in situ ischemia/reperfusion animal model was used. 30 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): sham (S) group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group and cyclosporine A (CsA) group. Apoptosis of pneumocyte was assessed by TUNEL method, cytochrome C (CytC) in cytoplasm was detected by immunohistochemistry techniques, and the activity of caspase-3 was measured with spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe content of CytC in cytoplasm, the activity of caspase-3, and the value of apoptosis index (AI) in ischemia/reperfusion group were evidently higher than that in S group (P < 0.01). CsA suppressed apoptosis as well as CytC release and caspase-3 activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCsA can prevent the release of cytochrome C, block the apoptosis of pneumocyte accordingly maybe by closing the MPTP.

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for rational application of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection in the clinic. METHODS:With reference to the package insert of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection,the guiding principles of clinical use of antibiotics,by reviewing related literatures,based on the weighted TOPSIS methods,detailed rules for drug utilization review (DUR) of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection were made. And then 100 archived medical records of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection in the first half of 2014 were evaluated in respect of medication rationality based on these rules. RESULTS:Among 100 cases,relative proximity of 51 cases was more than 70%(51.0%);that of 37 was between 50%-70%(37.0%);that of 12 cases was between 30%-50%(12.0%). CONCLUSIONS:Established DUR method of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection on the basis of weighted TOPSIS methods can be used to evaluate the rationality of drug use and promote more rational evaluation behavior. And the results indicate that unreasonable use of Levofloxacin hydrochloride injection is still common in the hospital.

Liver fibrosis can progress to liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, which may lead to poor prognosis. In addition to pathological angiogenesis and hepatic sinusoid remodeling, hepatic lymphangiogenesis also plays an important role in the progression of liver fibrosis. This article briefly describes lymphatic vessel markers and their expression in the liver, introduces the role of lymphangiogenesis in liver fibrosis, and reviews the role of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) and lymphatic endothelial cells in lymphangiogenesis. It is pointed out lymphangiogenesis may become a potential target for the intervention of liver fibrosis, which plays an important role in the early treatment and reversal of liver fibrosis and the prevention of liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.

OBJECTIVETo establish a good animal model of cleft palate and confirm whether 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachloro-p-dibenzodioxin (TCDD) and Dexamethasone (DEX) induced palatal cleft in mice is related to the fold change of transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-beta3) and activin receptor-like kinase 5 (Alk5).

METHODSPregnant mice were treated with oral medication of TCDD and intraperitoneal injection with DEX on GD10-12 in experimental group while the control group without any treatment. Then embryos were examined on GD17.5 under stereomicroscope for calculating the incidence of cleft palate and palatal shelves were dissected from the staged embryos respectively for RNA extraction on GD13.5, GD14.5 and GD15.5. At last the real-time PCR and SYBR Green I detection were used for RNA relative quantification.

RESULTSCleft palate could be induced 100% in C57BL/6J fetal mice with TCDD and DEX, thus established a stable animal model for further molecular studies of cleft palate. There were no significant difference in expression level of TGF-beta3 and Alk5 on GD13.5 among the groups, but the differences were statistically significant on GD14.5 and GD15.5 (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the expression level of Alk5 were significantly higher in experimental group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined effects of TCDD and DEX could induce a stable formation of cleft palate and down-regulated mRNA of TGF-beta3 and up-regulated Alk5 may contribute to the occurrence of cleft palate.

Animals ; Cleft Palate ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; Pregnancy ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta3 ; metabolism