Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Contraction ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; complications ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Function, Right

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of color Doppler ultrasound in examining hypothyroidism among radiation-exposed workers.

METHODSA total of 181 radiation-exposed workers who had clinical and laboratorial diagnoses of hypothyroidism were divided into X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group. Another 62 healthy people who underwent physical examinations were used as control group. All cases underwent color Doppler ultrasound; thyroid function, sonograms, and blood flow characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTSIn the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group, significant differences in the levels of free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were found across workers with different lengths of service (P < 0.05). In the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group, the percentages of individuals having uneven internal echo intensity among clinical hypothyroidism cases were higher than the percentages among subclinical hypothyroidism cases (P < 0.05). The X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group had significantly higher constituent ratios of grade II and III blood flow signals than the control group (P < 0.05). The peak systolic velocity of the superior thyroid artery (V(max)) was significantly higher in the X-ray diagnosis group, interventional radiology group, and radiotherapy group than in the control group (P < 0.05); in each group, Vmax was significantly higher in clinical hypothyroidism cases than in subclinical hypothyroidism cases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs a simple, non-invasive, and economic examination, color Doppler ultrasound has been demonstrated as a valuable method for evaluating occupational hypothyroidism and holds promise for clinical application.

Case-Control Studies ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; diagnostic imaging ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Radiology ; Thyrotropin ; blood ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects on serum homocysteine(Hcy) level,vascular function and carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) in metformin-treated diabetic patients with or without supplementation with folate and Vitamin B12.MethodsA total of 100 newly diagnosed diabetic type 2patients were divided into two groups by random digits table with 50 cases each,90 patients completed study.Forty-seven participants (control group) received a 6-month course of metformin treatment,43 patients (treatment group) received mefformin,folate and Vitamin B12 treatment.The levels of serum Hcy,endothelin-1 (ET-1),carotid IMT,large or small arterial elasticity index (C1,C2),flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsThe level of serum Hcy in control group significantly increased compared with before treatment[ (13.4 ± 2.7)μ mol/L vs.(11.1 ± 1.9)μ mol/L],hut the level of serum Hcy in treatment group significantly decreased compared with before treatment [ (9.2 ± 1.8 ) μ mol/L vs. ( 11.3 ± 2.0) μ mol/L ],there was significant difference(P ＜ 0.05 ).A beneficial effect was observed in the serum ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 in treatment group[ (20.0 ± 6.2)ng/L,( 15.8 ± 7.6)％,(0.8 ± 0.2) mm,(4.1 ± 2.1 ) ml/mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) × 100 vs. (31.3 ±10.1 ) ng/L,(9.7 ± 4.5)％,( 1.1 ± 0.4) mm,(2.3 ± 1.0) ml/mm Hg × 100 ] (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 after treatment in control group [ (24.8 ± 6.8) ng/L,( 12.9 ± 6.3 )％,(0.9 ± 0.3)mm,(3.0 ± 1.4) ml/mm Hg × 100] had significant difference compared with before treatment [ (30.6 ± 8.7)ng/L,(9.8 ± 4.6)％,( 1.0 ± 0.3) mm,(2.2 ± 0.9) ml/mm Hg × 100](P＜ 0.05).However,the results were improved significantly in treatment group than those in control group (P ＜0.05).In treatment group,significant correlation were detected between changes of Hcy and ET- 1 (r =0.43,P ＜ 0.05 ),carotid IMT(r =0.56,P ＜ 0.05),FMD (r =-0.54,P ＜ 0.05 ),C2 (r =-0.37,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsAdministration of folate and Vitamin B12 can reduce the levels of serum Hcy and ET-1 in metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients,which exert beneficial effect on carotid IMT,FMD and C2.

Abdominal Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Leukocytosis ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo probe into the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture in the rat with motility abnormality of the stomach and the nerve mechanism.

METHODSAdopting electrophysiological methods, the extracellular discharge signals of neuronic action in NTS were recorded with glass microelectrodes. The effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) on discharges of NTS neurons and intra-gastric pressure were observed in the rat at normal physiological state, and increase or reduction of gastric motility.

RESULTSAcupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Neiguan" (PC 6) could significantly promote gastric motility of the rat at normal status, increase or reduction of gastric motion, while acupuncture at "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Qihai" (CV 6) could significantly inhibit gastric motion. And acupuncture at all the above acupoints could activate discharges of NTS neurons.

CONCLUSIONThe bidirectional regulation effect of an acupoint does not certainly indicate that the same point has bidirectional regulation effect on an internal organs at different pathological states, while this may show synthetic action of different points which is a good regulation towards normal states and homeostasis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solitary Nucleus ; physiology ; Stomach Diseases ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of inflammatory reaction mediated by p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signal path on prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) model rats by electroacupuncture (EA).

METHODSThirty-two healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, eight rats in each one. The PD model was established in the model group and EA group by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in skin-back area (2 mg/kg, dissolved in sunflower oil, 2 mg/mL in density), while the injection of sunflower oil emulsion without rotenone at the same point and quantity as the model group was applied in the sham operation group. The normal group was not given any intervention. The EA treatment (continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity, 20 min) was applied at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in the EA group, once a day for continuously 14 days. No treatment was given in the other groups. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated p38-MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the substantia nigra were detected with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThere was typical PD ethology change in the model group. Compared with the normal group and sham operation group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the substantia nigra in the model group was significantly decreased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the EA group was apparently increased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe EA therapy could obviously reduce the expression of inflammation mediator COX-2, inhibit the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, reduce the damage of dopaminergic neurons in the rats with PD, and this effect may be related with the impact of p38-MAPK signal path

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Parkinson Disease ; enzymology ; genetics ; therapy ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substantia Nigra ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that bioactive molecules or polypeptides grafted onto the surface of polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels can improve PEG bioactivities.OBJECTIVE:To manufacture PEG hydrogels capable of auto-recruiting growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and to study its biocompatibility. METHODS:Pure PEG hydrogels (group A), PEG hydrogels grafted on a cell adhesion peptide RGD peptides (group B), PEG hydrogels grafted with auto-recruited TGF-β1 peptide sensitive polypeptide HSNGLPL (group C), PEG hydrogels grafted with both RGD and HSNGLPL polypeptides (group D) were prepared. Contract angle of the hydrogel was detected in each group. Human bone mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto four kinds of hydrogels. After cells attached, scanning electron microscope and LIVE/DEAD staining were done to observe cell-hydrogel compounds. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with ordinary culture medium (control) or four kinds of hydrogels for 1, 3, 5, 7 days, and the cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. The four kinds of hydrogels were put into 24-well culture plates with addition of PBS containing TGF-β1, and 1 hour later, immunofluorescence staining was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The contact angles of groups A and C were larger than those of groups B and D. (2) Under the scanning electron microscope, groups A and C had little cells attached on the hydrogel surface, but there were many cells on the hydrogel surface in groups B and D. (3) LIVE/DEAD staining showed groups A and C had little living cells, and conversely groups B and D had many living cells. (4) The results of cell counting kit-8 demonstrated that as the incubation time went on, cell proliferation activity of five different groups increased with no difference at the same time point. (5) Findings from the immunofluorescence staining showed that groups A and B had very weak fluorescence, while groups C and D had stronger green fluorescence. In conclusion, PEG hydrogels grafted with RGD and HSNGLPL polypeptides can auto-recruit TGF-β1, and have good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regular pattern of the distribution of skin epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in the different parts of a healthy human body, and to evaluate the feasibility of the identification of ESCs by P63 and CD29 with single and double labeling.

METHODSFull-thickness skin samples from 21 parts (including scalp, dorsum of foot, sole of foot, pubic region, and scrotum) of 5 healthy persons were harvested for the study. Immunohistochemistry method with biotin-streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (SP) was employed with P63 and CD29 as the first antibody to carry out single and double labeling. The staining results were subjected to image analysis. The distribution of the ESCs in the skin from the above parts was observed and expressed as positive unit (PU) value.

RESULTSIt was found by P63 single labeling and P63 and CD29 double labeling that the PU value in the dorsum of foot was the lowest while that in the scalp was the highest among all the parts of a healthy body. It was also found by CD29 single labeling that the PU value in the dorsum of foot was the lowest [(11.9 +/- 1.5)%] while highest in the scalp [(29.1 +/- 5.0)%]. The PU value in the hairy region of a human body was evidently higher than that in the non-hairy region (P < 0.01), when examined by P63 and CD29 single and double labeling. But there was no difference in the PU values between the trunk and limbs by means of P63 and CD29 single and double labeling (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are more ESCs in the skin from the scalp, mons pubis and scrotum than other parts of the body. Single P63 or CD29 labeling exhibits higher sensitivity but lower specificity in the identification of ESCs. While the double labeling method exhibits higher specificity but lower sensitivity. Above all, it seems that the double labeling may be a simple and effective method for the identification of ESCs.

Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrin beta1 ; Male ; Skin ; cytology ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVETo evaluate visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) in cervical cancer screening program and to provide evidence for designing a cervical cancer screening algorithm in high risk areas of existing low-resource settings to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

METHODSWomen in Yangcheng county, Shanxi province were screened with VILI, colposcopy, liquid-based cytology test and human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test. The efficacy of different screening tests was compared by Youden's index based on the pathology as the gold standard.

RESULTSIn the population being screened, the mean age was 40.80 +/- 10.75 years old. Based on pathological findings, 4.35% (32/735) of the subjects had >or= CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) II. The sensitivity and specificity for the VILI test (>or= positive) were 53.13 and 82.19, while 56.25 and 79.09 were for colposcopy (>or= low grade dysplasia) respectively. Comparing by the Youden's indexs, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between VILI and colposcopy. However, statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between VILI and liquid-based cytology test and HPV DNA test. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) found between the experienced doctors and the newly-trained doctors working in the field station.

CONCLUSIONWith low sensitivity when using microscope but low cost of equipments, VILI can be one of the primary screening tests in China's rural area with low-resource settings if the screening frequency is to be increased.

Adult ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; economics ; methods ; Female ; Health Resources ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodides ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Health ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of aerosols on the expression of cyclin B(1), cyclin C and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in wound tissue healing of burned rat models.

METHODSSprague Dawley (SD) rats were inflicted as the deep partial thickness burn models. Rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group were treated with aerosols. Samples were collected in 1 approximately 10 postburn days. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis methods were conducted to examine the expression of cyclin B(1), cyclin C and PCNA in both experimental and control groups.

RESULTSThe expression of cyclin C in experimental group was detected in nucleus of skin basal cell on the second postburn day, increased evidently at the fifth days and sustained at high expression level up to the tenth days after treatment. The expression of cyclin C in experimental group was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA was first observed in skin basal cell nucleus and hair follicle cell nucleus in both experimental and control group on the third postburn day. The expression of PCNA increased evidently at the fifth days in experimental after treatment and that increased evidently at the seventh days in control group, which showed there were lots of active proliferation cell. And the difference of the expression of PCNA between experimental and control group was significant (P < 0.01). The expression of cyclin B(1) was detected in nucleus and cytoplasm of skin basal cell in both groups on the third postburn day, and no difference between the experimental and control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAerosols can up-regulate the expression of cyclin C and PCNA in skin basal cell nucleus. Therefore the aerosols can accelerate wound tissue healing.

Aerosols ; Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; therapy ; Cyclin B ; biosynthesis ; Cyclin B1 ; Cyclin C ; Cyclins ; biosynthesis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; methods ; Female ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wound Healing ; physiology