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 investigate the specific vessels signs in lung cancer by 64-slice spiral CT in first phase perfusion ima-ging so as to get more reasonable time about CT angiography .Methods Among the 47 cases ,there were 38 cases of central and 9 cases of peripheral primary lung cancer underwent 64-slice spiral CT in first phase perfusion imaging :one scan was obtained every 1 seconds during 8-38 seconds with 8 section × I without scanning interval after injection .Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every leisions was recorded ,to calculate the peak height(PH) and peak height time by time density curves TDC of pulmonary le-sions to aorta ,those reflect the the tumor feeding artery Imaging about lesions of lung cancer and inflammation .observed and calcu-lated the display rate and display time of lesions of lung cancer and inflammation .means of t test was used for statistics .Results a-bout the peak heights of in pulmonary artery and aorta phese ,statistically significant differences were found between inflammation and lung cancer(P<0 .05) .no statistically significant differences were found between central and peripheral lung cancer (P>0 .05) . about the peak heights time in aorta phase ,no statistically significant differences were found among three groups (P>0 .05) .The tumor vascularity were discoved in lesions in patients with lung cancer (44/47 cases ,93 .62% );The erosion narrow pulmonary ar-tery were discoved in central lung cancer (37/38 cases ,97 .37% ) ,in peripheral lung cancer(6/9 cases 66 .67% );no abnormal pulmo-nary artery were discoved only in 4 patients with lung cancer .Both tumor vascularity and abnormal pulmonary artery were most dis-plaied in 18-31s in CT angiography .Conclusion 64-slice spiral CT in first phase dynamic perfusion imaging can order completely show the specific vessels signs in lung cancer and reflect the tumor feeding artery Imaging of lung cancer .Analysising those benefi-ted to select reasonably the time of CT angiography and Improve the rate of lung cancer diagnosis .

Objective To evaluate the early diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-1 (miR-1) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. The patients with chest pain admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Wuxi from November 2012 to June 2015 were enrolled. According to AMI diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into AMI group and non-AMI group, and healthy individuals during the same period were served as heath controls. The venous samples of the onset patients were collected within 3 hours after admission. The plasma miR-1 was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the levels of plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) were measured by electrochemiluminescence. The correlation between plasma miR-1 and cTnI as well as CK-MB was performed by Spearman analysis. The early diagnostic performance of plasma miR-1, cTnI, and CK-MB for AMI was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results There were 127 patients in AMI group, and 107 in non-AMI group, including 82 patients with angina pectoris, 2 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with aortic dissection, 2 with acute pericarditis, 3 with myocarditis, 13 with acute heart failure, and 2 with peptic ulcer. Ninety volunteers were served as healthy controls. There was no difference in clinical characteristics including gender and hyperlipidemia between AMI group and non-AMI group. The expressions of plasma miR-1, cTnI and CK-MB were significantly increased in AMI patients as compared with those of the healthy controls [miR-1 (2-ΔΔCt): 4.32±2.60 vs. 1.44±0.75 and 0.98±0.18, cTnI (μg/L): 3.23 (0.63, 10.70) vs. 0.02 (0.00, 0.17) and 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), CK-MB (U/L): 32.40 (14.20, 95.40) vs. 14.40 (11.20, 17.10) and 8.90 (8.28, 9.50), all P < 0.01]. The expression of plasma miR-1 had a significantly positive correlation with cTnI and CK-MB in AMI patients (r1 = 0.395, r2 = 0.490, both P < 0.000). It was demonstrated by ROC curve analysis that the area under ROC curve (AUC) for the diagnostic value of miR-1 on AMI was 0.905 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.860-0.950, P = 0.000], the sensitivity was 86.6%, and the specificity was 95.4%; the AUC for cTnI was 0.908 (95%CI = 0.870-0.946, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 81.9%, and the specificity was 95.9%; the AUC for CK-MB was 0.795 (95%CI = 0.736-0.854, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 63.0%, and the specificity was 92.9%. Conclusions Plasma miR-1 has the capacity in early diagnosis of AMI, superior to CK-MB, and equal to cTnI. It can provide additional diagnostic information beyond cTnI. The diagnostic accuracy for early AMI can be improved with the combination of plasma miR-1 and cTnI.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of drug coated balloon (DCB) vs. plain old balloon (POB) on in-stent restenosis (ISR) of femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease of the lower limb. Methods:The clinical data of 91 ISR patients admitted at Shanxi Bethune Hospital from Jul 2016 to Dec 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary patency rates were compared.Results:There were 43 patients treated with drug coated balloons and 48 patients treated with plain old balloons. The surgical procedure was successful in all cases, and the symptoms of lower limb ischemia were significantly improved after surgical procedure. The primary patency rate of patients who were treated by drug coated balloons was significantly higher than by plain old balloons at 12 months after surgery (83.7% vs. 62.5%, P<0.05). Conclusion:The use of drug coated balloons could acquire more satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy for ISR patients of femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of multi-dimensional and comprehensive evaluation on the quality of life among rural elderly population in Anhui province.

METHODS5652 rural elderly people aged above 65 in Anhui province were selected by cluster sampling method and were studied by cross-sectional study through a questionnaire on health information. The quality of life was evaluated by comprehensive evaluation method.

RESULTSThe total score of satisfactory quality of life in the studied rural elderly people was 0.1432 +/- 0.5170, while not satisfied was -0.2521 +/- 0.6081, with significant difference between the two groups (F = 666.221, P < 0.0001). There was positive correlation between subjective satisfaction and total score of quality of life, with r(s) = 0.345 (P < 0.0001). The results of logistic regression analysis between comprehensive index of quality of life and subjective satisfaction indicated that filial piety, income, sleeping condition, chronic disease, nutrition status, economic dominance in the family, amusement activities etc. were important factors influencing the quality of life.

CONCLUSIONIt was feasible to evaluation on the quality of life by comprehensive evaluation method.

Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Personal Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Regression Analysis ; Rural Health ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To investigate the brain perfusion changes in patients with refractory depressive disorder (RDD) and non-refractory depressive disorder (NDD) using arterial spin labeling (ASL).Methods Present study included 12 patients with RDD, 37 patients with NDD and 42 controls,and their age, sex and handedness were matched among the three groups.FAIR sequences were performed using a 3 T MR imaging system with an 8 channel phase array head coiL The labelled and controled images were subtracted and then averaged to obtain perfusion-weighted images.The first 2 images were excluded to avoid T, equilibrium effects and then voxel based analysis was performed using SPM2. One way ANOVA analysis using age as covariance ( thresholded at P ＜ 0.01 uncorrected) was performed.Results Patients with NDD showed regional alteration of the brain perfusion, mainly involved in two frontal subcortical circuits, i.e. significantly decreased perfusion in the left frontal and thalamus (the limbic thalamo-cortical circuit) whereas significantly increased perfusion in bilateral hippocampi, fight lentiform and left anterior cingulated gyros (the limbic-striatal-pallidal-thalamic circuit).In contrast, patients with RDD presented significantly decreased perfusion involving bilateral frontal areas (the limbic-thalamo-cortieal circuit) whereby no significantly increased perfusion areas were observed.Conclusion In addition to the reported experimental evidences, our results suggest that the RDD is associated with inactivity of bilateral frontal areas, while the NDD is associated with inactivity of left frontal areas and overactivity of bilateral limbic system.

Death, Sudden ; epidemiology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the incidence regularity in populations with different fluctuation modes of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels.

METHODSBased on the data of a NPC mass screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Jianggu town and Didou town of Sihui city, Guangdong province from 1992 to 1998, 586 subjects who were positive and retested for twice or above were divided into ascending group (114 subjects), stable or fluctuating group (313 subjects), and descending group (159 subjects) according to the fluctuation of immunoglobulin A antibody against EBV capsid antigen (VCA-IgA) level; 9889 subjects who were negative in the first test of VCA-IgA were set as control group. All the participants were followed-up till December 31, 2007. The incidence, onset time and clinical characteristics of NPC were compared among groups.

RESULTSThe 5-year cumulative detection rates of ascending, stable or fluctuating, and descending group were 3.51% (4/114), 0.64% (2/313) and 0.00% (0/159), respectively; the 5-year cumulative detection proportions were 4/4, 2/6 and 0/2, respectively. Comparing to the control group, the hazard ratio (HR) for the incidence of NPC in ascending group was highest (HR = 10.96, 95%CI: 3.91 - 30.74), followed by stable or fluctuating group (HR = 5.79, 95%CI: 2.45 - 13.69), and descending group (HR = 3.84, 95%CI: 0.92 - 16.01) which had the lowest HR.

CONCLUSIONIndividuals with stable, fluctuating or ascending VCA-IgA level showed higher risk and earlier onset of NPC was found in ascending group.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Capsid Proteins ; immunology ; Carcinoma ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the frequencies of 4 mutations of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene in Chinese population and to investigate the association of the mutations with lipid metabolism and the susceptibility to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD).

METHODSThe target fragments of CETP gene were amplified and analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 209 unrelated control individuals and 203 CHD patients. The test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was performed using HWE program and statistical analysis was implemented in statistical package SPSS.

RESULTSIVS14A and 451Q mutant genes were not found in either control group or patient group. The frequencies of 405V mutant allele were 0.443 and 0.413 in controls and patients, respectively, while 442G mutant gene frequencies were 0.007 and 0.025, respectively. The observed allele frequencies of I405V and D442G mutation were in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of 442G mutant gene in patients was significantly higher than that in controls (P=0.043). Compared with the CHD patients without D442G mutation, the 442G heterozygous CHD patients exhibited a significant increase in plasma TC and LDL-C concentration (P=0.017; P=0.041).

CONCLUSIONIVS14A and 451Q mutants of CETP gene were rare in Chinese population and 442G mutant gene was possibly one of the susceptibility factors to CHD in Chinese.

Aged ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; China ; Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

BACKGROUNDInvasive intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is current diagnostic standard for myocardial bridging (MB). Non-invasive multislice computerized tomography coronary angiography (MSCT) technique has provided a good anatomical view of the tunnel artery now.

METHODSA total of 51 consecutive patients with atypical or typical angina scheduled for IVUS were enrolled in this study and MSCT was performed 7 days before IVUS. Coronary imaging was quantified using IVUS and MSCT. Four main vessels (left main artery (LMA), left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX), right coronary artery (RCA)) were examined.

RESULTSForty-one out of 51 (80%) patients received metaprolol (25 mg) before the MSCT scan and 25 of them were current beta-blocker users. The mean heart rate was (64 +/- 3) beats per minute. A total of 51 patients underwent IVUS examination (30 with MB and 21 without MB) were chosen for this study. Twenty-eight out of 30 MB cases were correctly diagnosed by MSCT and 2 patients with MB were not detected. Comparison with IVUS, the sensitivity of detection by MSCT was 93%, specificity was 100%. The lumen diameter of the tunnel artery derived from MSCT and IVUS significantly decreased from (2.9 +/- 0.3) mm to (2.4 +/- 0.4) mm (P < 0.001) and from (3.3 +/- 0.3) mm to (2.6 +/- 0.5) mm (P < 0.001), respectively. Minimal and maximal diameters of MB derived from MSCT were significantly smaller than those from IVUS ((2.4 +/- 0.4) mm vs (2.6 +/- 0.5) mm, P < 0.05 and (2.9 +/- 0.3) mm vs (3.3 +/- 0.3) mm, P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSMSCT offers a reliable non-invasive method for MB in LAD and atherosclerosis diagnosis with diagnostic accuracy comparable with invasive IVUS.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Bridging ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods