Objective: To observe blood levels of cystetine C (Cys C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndromes (OSAS) related hypertension (HP). Methods: A total of 102 HP patients received polysomgography (PSG) in our hospital from 2013-01 to 2013-12 were studied. According to apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into 2 groups: OSAS with HP (OH) group, n=55 patients with AHI≥5 and HP group,n=47 patients with AHI<5; in addition, there was a Control group,n=45 normal subjects with PSG examination at the same period. The general conditions, biochemical and sleep parameters were studied, the differences among 3 groups were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. Results: In OH group, HP group and Control group, blood levels of Cys C were (1.06 ± 0.27) mg/L, (0.91 ± 0.19) mg/L and (0.79 ± 0.32) mg/L respectively; SOD were (127.63 ± 63.19) U/mL, (149.14 ± 60.12) U/mL and (181.54 ± 59.37) U/mL respectively, allP<0.05. Based on clinical conditions, OH group was further divided into Mild, Moderate and Severe sub-groups, blood levels of Cys C and SOD were similar among different sub-groups,P>0.05. Conclusion: Blood levels of Cys C in OH and HP groups were higher than Control group, Cys C in OH group was higher than HP group; SOD levels in OH and HP groups were lower than Control group, SOD in OH group was lower than HP group. The relationships between Cys C, SOD and OH severity were unclear.

BACKGROUND: Pergolide and madopar are the effective medicines to treat Parkinson disease, but the effects on the prognosis of patients with Parkinson disease are still under discussion. The progress of neuroimaging makes it possible to evaluate quantitatively the effect of the drug treatment on the prognosis of Parkinson disease.OBJBCTIVE: To observe the influence of pergolide or madopar as initial treatment on the prognosis and the striatal dopaminergic neuron in patients with early Parkinson disease by means of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 dopamine transporter imaging single-photon emission computed tomtheography (SPECT) in combination with Parkinson disease scale.DESIGN: A randomized grouping, parallel control and placebo control trial.SETTING: Department of Neurology, the 81 Hospital of Chinese PLA;Department of Neurology and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with early Parkinson disease who were recruited at the Specific Clinic of Parkinson Disease in the Shanghai Changhai Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA and did not receive any drug treatment before, were enrolled between February and July 2002. They were randomly divided into artane control group (n=12), pergolide-treated group (n=12) and madopar-treated group. The diagnosis accorded with the clinical diagnostic standard set by United Kingdom Society of Parkinson Disease. This protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Changhai Hospital, and all the subjects were enrolled in this study with informed consent.INTERVENTIONS: After test with unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) and 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 SPECT, patients in the artane control group, pergolide-treated group and madopar-treated group were treated with corresponding drugs respectively, and each capsule of artane, pergolide and madopar contained drug of 0.05, 0.05 and 125 mg respectively. In the 1st week, the dosage was 1 capsule for each time, once a day, and then the daily dosage was increased by 1 capsule per week later, and the daily dosage reached 0.2, 0.2 and 500 mg respectively after 1 month, and then the dosages were kept constant. The curative effects were evaluated with UPDRS at 6 and 10 months after treatment. At 10 months after treatment,the 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 specific intakes of ipsilateral or contralateral striatum of the affected limb were tested with striatum dopamine transporter SPECT and semi-quantitative analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Changes of percentage of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 decrease of ipsilateral or contralateral striatum of the affected limb at 10 months after treatment were compared among the three groups;② Changes of UPDRS scores before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.RESULTS: Totally 36 patients were involved in the study, and 1 case lost in each of the 3 groups respectively at 10 months after treatment, finally 33 cases entered the analysis of results. ① Changes of percentage of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 decrease of ipsilateral or contralateral striatum of the affected limb at 10 months after treatment: At 10 months after treatment, the percentage of 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 decrease of ipsilateral or contralateral striatum of the affected limb were obviously higher in the madopar-treated group than in the artane control group and pergolide-treated group [(46.3±19.4)%, (28.9±13.0)%, (34.4±18,1)%; (47.5±20.8)%, (31.8±15.6)%, (33.8±17.2)%; P all ＜ 0.05]. ② Changes of UPDRS scores before and after treatment: As compared with the UPDRS scores before treatment, there was no obvious change in the artane control group at 10 months after treatment,but those in the madopar-treated group and pergolide-treated group were obviously decreased [(15.5±8.68), (6.4±9.05); (15.8±6.75), (10.36±8.30); Pall ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Both madopar and pergolide can ameliorate the symptoms of early Parkinson disease, but they had different influences on the prognosis of patients with Parkinson disease. Madopar may accelerate the apoptosis of dopaminergic neuron and then aggravate the severity, but pergolide does not affect the prognosis of Parkinson disease, so it is a more suitable selective drug for the treatment of early Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Selegiline can effectively alleviate motor disorder symptoms during the earlier stage of Parkinson disease(PD),but the influence on prognosis is still warmly discussed. With the development of neuroiconologicai study,the objective predictor for dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in PD would became possible.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of selegiline on dopaminergic neurons in earlier stage of PD with the aid of iconology.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study based on patients.SETTING: Neurological department in a military hospital of Chinese PLA,the nuclear medicine and neurological department in a military medical hospital of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Between April and December 2001,25 patients were selected from PD specific clinic of Changhai Hospital,the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. They were confirmed of earlier stage of PD without given any related drugs.INTERVENTIONS: Totally 25 patients were randomly divided into placebo group of 13 cases and selegiline group of 12 cases. After assessed with unified PD rating scale(UPDRS),they were given placebo and selegiline respectively with the dosage gradually increased from 0.05 mg at the beginning and added with 0.05 mg every week for four weeks until reaching the sustaining dosage of 0.2 mg. Dopamine transporting protein (99Tcm-TRODAT-1) examination and single photon emission-computerized tomography (SPECT) were performed at entering the experiment and after the treatment for 13 months,and semi-quantitative analysis was used for counting striatal emission of the ipsilateral and contralateral side. Scores for UPDRS were obtained at entering the experiment,after the treatment for 6months and 13 months.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Main outcomes:The differences ofstriatal 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 specific intake decreasing percentage on ipsilateral and contralateral side were compared between the two groups after the treatment for 13 months.②Subordinate outcome:Scores for UPDRS of the two groups was also compared.RESULTS: After the treatment for 13 months,striatal 99Tcm-TRODAT-1 specific intake decreasing percentages were (28.9 ± 13.0)% and(31.8 ± 15.6) % on ipsilateral and contralateral side of placebo group compared with the corresponding (30.39 ± 14. 7)% and(32.6 ± 16. 6)% of the selegiline group,the difference was of no statistical significance( P ＞ 0.05). Scores for UPDR was(23.7 ±4.3) in placebo group and(13.1 ± 5.5) in selegiline group after the treatment for 6 months,and(27.0 ±4.3) and(9. 8 ±4. 8) after the treatment for 13 months,indicating that slegiline group was obviously better than placebo group( P ＜ 0. 05).CONCLUSION: Selegiline showed better therapeutic effect in the treatment of earlier-stage PD without increasing the apoptosis of striatal dopaminergic neurons.

Objective:The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that inflammation is involved in the end-organ damage(EOD) induced by sinoaortic denervation(SAD) in rats.Method:SAD was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 10 weeks.Under anaesthesia,aortic nerves were cut and the sinus region of the carotid artery was stripped and painted with 10% phenol.Pathological evaluation of EOD and the determination of plasma or tissue levels of the factors related to inflammation,including thromboxane B2(TXB2) interleukin-1(IL-1),tumour necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) were performed at 16 weeks after SAD.Pathological evaluation of EOD included heart weigh ratio,myocardial and blood vessel hydroxyproline and collagen volume fraction,glomerular injury score and number of infiltrating inflammatory cells.Indomethacin(20 mg/kg per day,orally) or vitamin E(100 mg/kg per day,orally) was administered for 12 weeks,beginning from4 weeks after SAD,to observe their effects on SAD-induced EOD.Results:There were significant fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration in the myocardium and blood vessels,represented by higher hydroxyproline and collagen volume fraction,and a large amount of inflammatory cells in the tissues of SAD rats.Heart weight and kidney glomerular injury score were significantly higher in ed significantly after SAD.Indomethacin and vitamin E significantly decreased the contents of some factors related to inflammation in SAD rats.Both drugs also alleviated myocardial and vessel fibrosis,inflammatory infiltration and kidney damage.Conclusion:Inflammation is involved in the organ damage induced by SAD in rats.

Objective To evaluate virtual navigation assisted contrast-enhanced ultrasound(VN-CEUS) by comparing VN-CEUS with routine CEUS in detecting focal liver lesion(FLL) invisible in B-mode ultrasound(BUS).Methods Forty-seven FLLs invisible in BUS were identified by CT/MR,and received VN-CEUS and routine CEUS respectively.Results The detection rate of VN-CEUS and routine CEUS were 78.7%(37/47) and 36.2%(17/47),the former was much higher than the later (P<0.01).In all the cases,fusion of CT/MR with ultrasound was achieved successfully and average time for image fusion was 5 min.compared with routine CEUS,VN-CEUS could more easily find FLLs shadowed by lung or ribs,FLLs in inhomogeneous liver background,and FLLs with brief or inapparent abnormal enhancement.ConclusionsVN-CEUS can greatly improve the detection rate of FLL that was invisible in BUS.

Objective To design and construct a hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) phantom,and assess the accuracy of three dimensional ultrasound (3DUS)-CT image fusion in evaluating ablative margin (AM).Methods The phantom was constructed by carrageenan gel and additives.A sphere-shaped HCC model surrounded by a 5 mm layer of AM model was embedded into a cylindrical-shaped ground substance model to form the phantom.After radiofrequency ablation (RFA),HCC model in the phantom was ablated into ablative lesion model.The ultrasound and CT image,macroscopic appearance and stability of the phantom were observed.Twenty-four phantoms were made and ablated into different ablative lesion models in which AM was achieved or not achieved.Outline the HCC and 5mm AM in the 3DCT image and fuse 3DCT image with the 3DUS image of the ablative lesion model to see whether the ablative area could cover the AM,as well as in which quadrant complete ablation of the AM had not been achieved and the maximal thickness of the unachieved AM.The result of the 3DUS-CT image fusion was compared with gross specimen.Results The ultrasound and CT image,macroscopic appearance and stability of the phantom met the demand of this study.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of 3DUS-CT image fusion were 93.8％,85.7％ and 91.3％respectively.The quadrant in which complete ablation of AM was not achieved matched with gross specimen.The maximal thickness of the unachieved AM measured by 3DUS-CT image fusion and gross specimen were (3.5 ± 2.0) mm and (3.2 ± 2.0) mm respectively,and no statistic difference was found between the two results.Conclusions The phantom made of carrageenan gel and additives was suitable for the evaluation of AM.3DUS-CT image fusion evaluation of AM was accurate.

Objective To observe the effects of intervention of soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine on cardiac function and myocardial pathologic morphology of BMSCs transplanting on myocardial IRI of rats, and investigate its myocardial protection mechanism. Methods Model of myocardial IRI was established by coronary artery ligation in rats. SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, IRI group, BMSCs group and combined group. Rats in combined group were filled the stomach with soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine, and rats in other groups were filled the stomach with the same dose of normal saline. After 4 weeks, myocardial pathologic morphology was observed with light microscope. Cardiac function was detected with ultrasonic cardiogram.Results Compared with BMSCs group, heart function of the combined group improved, with significant statistical difference (P<0.05,P<0.01). Pathological observation showed that myocardial structure and pathological morphology were obviously promoted in the combined group.Conclusion Soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine could improve heart function and myocardial pathological morphology of IRI rats with BMSCs transplantation.

Objective: To study the serum interleukin-37 (IL-37) level changes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to explore the relationship between IL-37 and coronary atherosclerotic plaque.
Methods: Our research included 3 groups. ACS group, n=60, SAP (stable angina pectoris) group, n=30 and Control group, the subjects with normal coronary artery, n=15. The peripheral serum levels of IL-37 were examined by ELISA and the differences were compared among different groups.
Results: ① The serum levels of IL-37 at admission were as ACS group < SAP group < Control group, P<0.05.②Intervention could transitionally decrease IL-37 level in SAP group. With 4 weeks treatment, IL-37 levels were signiifcantly increased in both ACS group and SAP group than admission time, while they were still lower than Control group, P<0.05.③The serum level of IL-37 at admission was negatively related to IL-18 (r=-0.79, P<0.05), the ratio of IL-18/IL-37 were as ACS group>SAP group>Control group, P<0.05.④In ACS group, IL-37 level was negatively related to GRACE score (r=-0.71, P<0.05), the ratio of IL-18/IL-37 was positively related to GRACE score (r=0.73, P<0.05).⑤The diagnosis of ACS could be basically excluded if the patients with IL-37>77ug/L.
Conclusion: The serum IL-37 might be involved in the inlfammatory process in ACS patients, it could be expected as an index for ACS monitor and evaluation in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effects of soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine on myocardial cell apoptosis and related gene expression of BMSCs transplanting on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) of rats;To discuss its mechanism of protecting myocardium. Methods Model of myocardial IRI was established in rats. BMSCs were isolated, cultivated, and transplanted in IRI rats. SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, IRI group, BMSCs group, and combined group. Rats in combined group received gavage with soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine, while rats in other groups received gavage with the same dose of normal saline. After 4 weeks, myocardial cell apoptosis, Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression in myocardial cells were detected by TUNEL method and immunohistochemical method. Results Compared with IRI group, myocardial cell apoptosis index in the combined group and BMSCs group was lower, Bax expression decreased, Bcl-2 expression significantly increased (P<0.01);Compared with BMSCs group, myocardial cell apoptosis index in the combined group was lower;Bax expression decreased, Bcl-2 expression increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Soothing liver and activating blood Chinese medicine can inhibit BMSCs transplantation in IRI rat myocardial cell apoptosis, promote myocardial regeneration, and protect myocardial cells.

Objective:The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that inflammation is involved in the end-organ damage(EOD) induced by sinoaortic denervation(SAD) in rats.Method:SAD was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 10 weeks.Under anaesthesia,aortic nerves were cut and the sinus region of the carotid artery was stripped and painted with 10% phenol.Pathological evaluation of EOD and the determination of plasma or tissue levels of the factors related to inflammation,including thromboxane B2(TXB2) interleukin-1(IL-1),tumour necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) were performed at 16 weeks after SAD.Pathological evaluation of EOD included heart weigh ratio,myocardial and blood vessel hydroxyproline and collagen volume fraction,glomerular injury score and number of infiltrating inflammatory cells.Indomethacin(20 mg/kg per day,orally) or vitamin E(100 mg/kg per day,orally) was administered for 12 weeks,beginning from4 weeks after SAD,to observe their effects on SAD-induced EOD.Results:There were significant fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration in the myocardium and blood vessels,represented by higher hydroxyproline and collagen volume fraction,and a large amount of inflammatory cells in the tissues of SAD rats.Heart weight and kidney glomerular injury score were significantly higher in ed significantly after SAD.Indomethacin and vitamin E significantly decreased the contents of some factors related to inflammation in SAD rats.Both drugs also alleviated myocardial and vessel fibrosis,inflammatory infiltration and kidney damage.Conclusion:Inflammation is involved in the organ damage induced by SAD in rats.