Objective To investigate the blood pressure circadian rhythm in patients with IgA nephropathy by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and explore its role in the disease progression. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out.Blood pressure rhythm was studied by ambulatory 24-hour monitoring with a portable oscillometric recorder in selected patients with primary IgA nephropathy.The term dipper was described as blood pressure during night dropped at least 10％ below daytime blood pressure.The term non-dipper referred to those in whom the nocturnal decline in blood pressure was less than 10％.Clinicopathological indices between dipper and non-dipper groups were compared. Results Ninety-three patients completed ambulatory blood pressure monitoring among whom 68 (73％) patients were non-dipper.The frequency of non-dipper was 70％,70％ and 81％ in the patients at chronic kidney disease stage 1,2 and 3 or more.The frequency did not differ among these three group patients (P=-0.587).77％ of patients with hypertension and 69％ of patients with normotension were non-dipper (P=0.373).The disappearance of blood pressure circadian rhythm in IgA nephropathy was not influenced by age,gender,blood pressure,proteinuria,renal function and renal pathology lesions.Among the patients who were followed up regularly for more than 12 months (n=54),patients in the dipper group had a trend of slower eGFR decline rate than those in non-dipper group albeit the difference was not significant (P=0.329).Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with hypertension and non-dipper (n=29),the eGFR decline rate was much faster than that in dipper group[(-6.79±11.58 )vs (-0.34±1.74) ml ·min-1 ·(1.73 m2)-1·year-1,P=0.019]. Conclusions Most patients with IgA nephropathy present disappearance of blood pressure circadian rhythm,even among those at an early stage or without hypertension.The loss of blood pressure rhythm may be associated with a rapid renal function decline rate in those with hypertension.

Objective:To investigate the effects of thalidomide on vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and quality of life in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembotization.Methods:A total of 60 patients with HCC,who were treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from January 2014 to January 2016,were randomly divided into group A (n=30)and group B (n=30).Group A was treated with Thalidomide in combination with TACE,oral 200 mg every night for 1 month;group B was treated with TACE alone.The levels of VEGF in the two groups were detected before treatment and 3 weeks after treatment;the quality of life of patients before treatment and 1 month after treatment was evaluated by quality of life scale (QOL);the weight of two groups before and after treatment and adverse reactions during treatment were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in VEGF levels between the two groups before treatment (P＞0.05).After treatment,the levels of VEGF in the two groups were higher than those before treatment,and the VEGF levels in the group A was significantly lower than that in the group B,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in QOL score and body weight between the two groups before treatment (P＞0.05).The QOL scores of the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment,but the QOL scores of patients in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in weight between the two groups before and after treatment (P＞0.05).In group A,1 patients (3.33％) had severe somnolence,2 (6.67％) patients stopped taking thalidomide due to severe dry mouth,and the remaining 27 patients were able to tolerate.Conclusion:Thalidomide combined with TACE in the treatment of patients with HCC can reduce the levels of VEGF and improve the quality of life of cancer patients,which is worthy to be popularized in clinic.

Objective To observe the effect of local mild hypothermia and Naloxone in the treatment of acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Forty-five patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage were randomly divided into 4 groups:a control group(12 patients),a hypothermia group(11 patients),a Naloxone group(11 patients)and a hypothemrmia plus Naloxone group(11 patients).The patients in the control group were managed with conventional interventions including the administration of 6-aminocaproic acid within 24 hours and dehydrant when intracranial pressure was high.Those in the hypothermia and Naloxone groups were treated with local hypothermia at 33～34 ℃ for 3 days or intravenous transfusion of Naloxone at 4 mg/d in addition to the conventional intervention.Those in the combination group were treated with local hypothermia and intravenous Naloxone in addition to the conventional intervention.Immediately after admission and 2 weeks after treatment,head CT scans were conducted to observe the volume of cerebral hematoma and edema.The patients' neurological function was scored according to the European Stroke Standards(ESS)before and after treatment. Results There was no significant difference among the 4 groups in terms of the volume of hematoma and edema or in their ESS scores before treatment.After treatment,any differences among the 4 groups with regard to hematoma volume were not significant.The volume of edema in the hypothermia group was similar to that in the combination group and significantly lower than that in the Naloxone andcontrol groups.Hematoma volume in the Naloxone group was significantly lower than that in the control group.After treatment,the ESS scores were significantly higher in the combination group than that in hypothermia group,and scores in the hypothermia group were significantly higher than in the Naloxone group.ESS scores in the Naloxone group were significantly higher that in the control group. Conclusion Local mild hypothermia and Naloxone treatment can inhibit cerebral edema and enhance recovery of neurological function in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.Local mild hypothermia has advantages over Naloxone in inhibiting the development of cerebral edema and in promoting recovery of neurological function.Local mild hypothermia in combination with Naloxone further inhibits edema,and it can enhance neurological function to a greater extent.

Objective To investigate the applicability of the K~+ concentration in aqueous humor to estimate postmortem interval(PMI).Methods 30 White New-Zealand rabbit were sacrificed by air embolism and divided into 10 groups.Aqueous humor and vitreous humor were sampled at 0.5h,1h,3h,6h,8h,12h,16h,20h,and 24h after death.The concentration of potassium,sodium and calcium were analyzed by an autoanalyzer and the data were statistically processed by SPSS software for Windows.Results Increase in potassiam concentration in aqueous humor was correlated with the postmortem interval(R~2=0.956).Conclusion Measurement of potassium concentration in aqueous humor may be used for PMI estimation.

Objective:To compare the cardiovascular risk factors and the characteristics of coronary lesion between Chinese and Australian patients with myocardial infarction(MI). Methods:Five hundred and seventy-eight Chinese and 399 Australian MI patients received selective coronary angiography after hospitalization.The cardiovascular risk factors and coronary angiograms were compared and analyzed.Results:Five hundred and fifty Chinese cases(95.16%)and 376 Australian cases(94.24%)showed angiographically coronary stenosis.The comparing results of MI cases between Chinese and Australians were as follows:the percentage of patients below 40 years old,2.08% vs 6.02%(P0.05);the percentage of patients with three vessel disease and total occlusion,32.87% vs 24.31% and 45.50% vs 32.33%,respectively(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI)in the diagnosis of hemorrhagic foci early after blast injury and its role in the outcome prediction.

METHODSTotally 30 rabbits with blast-induced cerebral blast injury were used in this study. After routine CT/MRI and SWI scanning,quantified analysis was performed in regions of interest using post-processing technology. After dissecting the brains of the experimental rabbits,the cerebral histopathological changes were observed,and the results were compared with SWI findings.

RESULTSIn these 30 rabbits,22,102,221,and 738 hemorrhagic foci were detected by CT,T1WI,T2WI,and SWI,respectively. The number of cerebral microbleeds detected by SWI was significantly larger than those revealed by conventional T1WI and T2WI(Χ(2)=10.00,P<0.01). Furthermore,the SWI imaging displayed the punctiform(n=315,42.7%),lamellar(n=218,29.5%),slinar(n=205,27.8%)hypointense foci,with clear margin. The number of hemorrhagic foci detected by SWI was positively correlated with survival(r=-0.667,P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSWI remarkably increases the detection rate of hemorrhagic foci(particularly microbleeds)in rabbits with cerebral blast injury. The number of cerebral microbleeds and location of foci are closely related with the outcomes and therefore may facilitate clinical managment.

Animals ; Blast Injuries ; complications ; diagnosis ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Prognosis ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo explore the protection of high intensity microwave radiation on hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activity and hippocampal CA1 structure in rats and the protectiveeffect of Qindan Granule (QG) on radiation injured rats.

METHODSTotally 48 Wistar rats were randomlydivided into 8 groups, i.e., the normal control group, post-radiation day 1, 7, and 10 groups, 7 and 10days prevention groups, day 7 and 10 treatment groups, 6 in each group. Rats in prevention groups wererespectively administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4. 75 g crude drugs) for 7 days and 10 days bygastrogavage and then microwave radiation. Then preventive effect for radiation injury was statisticallycalculated with the normal control group and the post-radiation day 1 group. Rats in treatment groupswere firstly irradiated, and then administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4.75 g crude drugs). Finally preventive effect for radiation injury was statistically calculated with the normal control group, post-radiation day 7 and 10 groups. Contents of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), beta endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were detected. Morphological changes and structure of hippocampal CA1 region were observed under light microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly decreased in each radiation group. Serum contents of ACTH and beta-EP significantly increased in post-radiation day 1 and 7 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with radiation groups, beta-EP content in serum and pituitary significantly increased, and serum ACTH content significantly decreased in prevention groups (P < 0.05). Pituitary contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly increased in prevention groups. Serum contents of ACTH, beta-EP, and HSP70 were significantly lower in day 7 treatment group than post-radiation day 7 group (P < 0.05). Morphological results showed that pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region arranged in disorder, with swollen cells, shrunken and condensed nucleus, dark dyeing cytoplasm, unclear structure. Vessels in partial regions were dilated with static blood; tissues were swollen and sparse. In prevention and treatment groups pathological damage of hippocampal CA1 region was obviously attenuated; neurons were arranged more regularly; swollen, pycnotic, or deleted neuron number were decreased; vascular dilatation and congestion was lessened.

CONCLUSIONQG could affect HPAA function and activity of high intensity microwave radiated rats, showing certain preventive and therapeutic effects of microwave radiated rats by adjusting synthesis and release of partial bioactive peptides and hormones in HPAA, improving pathological injury in hippocampal CA1 region.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; blood ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; blood ; metabolism

BACKGROUND:Femoral neck fracture is mainly fixed by three inverted triangle cannulated screws. Scholars have proposed to add a cannulated screw to enhance the fixation strength of femoral neck fracture of Pauwels III type based on three cannulated screw fixation, but the stability is not verified. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical stability and stress of the three and four cannulated screws for the treatment of the Pauwels III femoral neck fractures. METHODS:The CT imaging results of the fourth generation of artificial bone sawbones were imported into the Mimics software wherein a three-dimensional finite element model of the proximal femur was prepared and introduced in the 3-matic software. Models of middlesegment of femoral neck with Pauwels III fractures were established. Cannulated screw models were established with UG 8.0 software and introduced in the fractures models. Finally, finite element models of Pauwels III femoral neck fractures fixed with three and four screws were established. In the same condition, an axial load of 411 N was applied on the femoral head with Abaqus software. The displacement of two markers of the broken ends and internal fixation system Von Mises stress distribution were compared between the two models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The displacement was 0.42 mm in three screws model, and 0.17 mm in the four screws model. (2) Von Mises stress peak was 547 MPa and 27.8 MPa in both models. The peak value was lower in models of fourscrews than that of three screws. Stress concentration position was at the fracture site in both models. The stress range of models of four screws was more extensive and scattered. (3) Finite element analysis results demonstrated that four-screw implantation for Pauwels III femoral neck fractures had strong anti-shearing force and biomechanical stability. Clinical advantages need further clinical comparative study.

OBJECTIVETo assay ligustilide content in the herb of Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong, CX), which is the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong in order to assess the quality.

METHODLigustilide was quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography in 21 CX samples. An Alltima C18 column (4.6 mmx 150 mm, 5 microm) was used as the analytical column. The mobile phase consisted of water and acetonitrile (40:60). The flow rate was maintained at 1.0 mL x min(-1) with the column temperature at ambient conditions. The detection wavelength was set at 350 nm.

RESULTThe average content of Z-ligustilide in 21 CX samples was found to be 7.40 +/- 3.54 mg x g(-1)(x +/- s, n = 21). Therefore,the content of Z-ligustilide in CX should not be less than 0.66% (calculated on the dried basis).

CONCLUSIONThe overall analytical procedure is rapid and accuracy which is considered suitable for the quantitative analysis of ligustilide in CX. The amount of ligustilide in CX samples collected from different cultivation areas was obviously different. However, a relatively higher content of ligustilide was generally found in the CX collected from its main cultivated areas.

4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rhizome ; chemistry