Objective:To determine the inflammatory factor levels and inflammatory cell percentages in the patients with cough variant asthma (CVA ), and to clarify their potential role in the pathogenesis of CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment.Methods:60 patients with CVA were randomly selected and divided into CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group (n=30)and CVA responsive to bronchodilator treatment group (n=30).As the same time 30 cases of healthy persons were used as normal control group.The levels of interluekin-8 (IL-8)and esoinophil cationic protein (ECP)in their induced sputum were detected,the classification of inflammatory cells in their induced sputum were observed, and their scores of cough symptom were recorded. Results:The IL-8 level in the induced sputum of the patients in CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group was higher than that in CVA responsive to bronchodilator treatment group and normal control group (P<0.05).The ECP level in the induced sputum of the patients in CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group was lower than that in CVA responsive to bronchodilator treatment group (P<0.05),but it was similar to the level in normal control group (P>0.05).The neutrophil percentages in the induced sputum of the patients in CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group were higher than those in CVA responsive to bronchodilator treatment group and normal control group (P<0.05).The scores of cough symptom of the patients in CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group was positively correlated with IL-8 level (r=0.764,P<0.01), and the scores of cough symptom of the patients in CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment group was positively correlated with the neutrophil percentage in induced sputum (r=0.889,P<0.01).Conclusion:IL-8 and neutrophil may be associated with the incidence of CVA unresponsive to bronchodilator treatment. They can aggravate the inflammation and hypersensitivity of airway and cough symptom. The determination of IL-8 and neutrophil can be used as an accessory method in the diagnosis and j udgement of severity degree and curative effect of CVA in clinic.

Objective The aim of this article is to discuss the relation between serum uric acid and prehypertension, and to evaluate the influence of age, obesity, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipids in Chinese adults. Methods All the 14 451 non-hypertensive samples were analyzed for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), FPG, lipids and serum uric acid. Results The serum uric acid levels were stratified by quintiles, after adjustment for relevant factors, OR values of prehypertcnsion increased with the elevated uric acid levels. Serum uric acid level was 200-380 μmol/L, it had a linear relationship with the risk of prehypertension, 200 μmol/L as a turning point for this linear relationship, FPG could affect their correlation (P ＜ 0.0001 ). Conclusions Serum uric acid was associated with prehypertension, independent of metabolic risk factors. The associations were not significant in old individuals. FPG may modify the associations.

The interactions between genetic variations and dietary factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus have attracted some attention. Several studies revealed that dietary carbohydrate quality and quantity and increased dietary fat intake might interact with genetic variations of type 2 diabetes mellitus and increase risk of this disease. Genome-wide association studies suggest that genetic variance may modulate the association between dietary pattern and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To validate the antidepressant effect of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix by observing its interference effect in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model of rats. Methods: After the interference of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix in CUMS depression model of rats, those changes of rat body weight, sugar water consumption, and the opening activity behavior were observed. Results: After the interference of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix in CUMS depression model of rats for two weeks, the test indexes of rat body weight, sugar water consumption, and the opening activity behavior were significantly increased in low-, mid-, and high-dose herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix groups. The effect of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix on improving the behavior of rats with depression was proved. In addition, Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix could also improve the level of individual indicators in a certain degree. Conclusion: Herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix has the obvious antidepressant effect on rats and the antidepressant effect of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix separately is lower than it.

ObjectiveTo examine the relation between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG),then evaluate the modification effects of age,BMI,hypertension and lipids in Chinese adults.Methods5099 cases from a community-based health examination survey in Xuzhou,Jiangsu prownce,China,were enrolled in this study.Blood pressure,weight,height,waist circumference,neck circumference,body fat ratio and determination of fasting glucose,lipidsand pulse wave velocity were measured in all cases.IFG was defined as 6.1 mmol/L≤FBG ＜7.0 mmol/L.ResultsThe odds ratios (OR,95％ CI ) of IFG across increasing variable of cf-PWV were 1.00,1.07(0.83 - 1.39),1.20( 1.08 -1.34),1.13(1.04 - 1.23),1.14(1.05 - 1.25) ( Pfor trend ＜0.01).Age and neck circumference levels significantly interacted with cf-PWV in relation to IFG risk ( P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsThe present data indicate serum cf-PWV concentration was associated with the risk of IFG,and the association was modified by age and neck circumference levels.

OBJECTIVETo explore a new technique that keep function and good aesthetic shape after reduction mammaplasty.

METHODSThe superomedial glandular pedicle technique was applied with differing patterns of skin incision according to the degree of the mammary hypertrophy. The extra glandular tissue was removed from the lateral and inferior segment of the breast. The remaining superomedial glandular tissue was remodeled a conical shape. The skin incision was sutured after excision of excess skin.

RESULTS36 cases (72 breasts) were treated with this technique. The results were satisfactory and there were no complications. The breasts maintained a lasting and aesthetically pleasing shape and the nipple-areola preserved good sensation.

CONCLUSIONSThe superomedial glandular pedicle is a safe and effective technique that can provide long-lasting outcome. The design of the procedure can be adapted to a variety of skin incision patterns and breast morphologies.

Adult ; Breast ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To study the application of three-dimensional reconstruction technique based on CT-MRI fusion in skull base surgery.Methods To acquire the thin layer CT scan and MRI scanned images,to achieve image registration,fusion,segmentation and 3D visualization by using self-preparation software,to operate,observe and measure models by using methods of endoscopic observation,volume rendering segmentation,automatically and manually measure.Results The center of the eye and foramen magnum in CT-MRI were used as point registration.Good coincidence of important anatomic landmarks were formed in the image fusion.The boundary of spitted graphical was clear and complete.The models showed a complete,continuous,smooth surface. Virtual endoscopy could display the inside three-dimensional structures of skull from nasal with fluent operations of rotation and transparency.The boundary of skull stump segmented after volume rendering segmentation was clear and smooth,and it could show bone signs and soft tissue models together.Cooperation of automatic measurement method [ ( 32.007 ± 15.311 ) mm ] and the manual measurement method [ (30.240 ± 15.169)mm ] for measuring the maximum diameters of the tumor model,the difference was significant ( t =8.409,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions The method of selecting the center of the eye and foramen magnum in point matching is scientific,simple and easy to operate.The models reconstructed based on CT-MRI fusion images can accurately reflect the size of the soft tissue and be better measured through the automatic measurement.Reconstruction models can be observed through the way of virtual endoscopic within the nasal cavity or volume rendering segmentation from outside to inside to frustrate the relationship of skull structures.Three-dimensional reconstruction techniques based on CT-MRI fusion in skull base surgery can be used to plan surgical approach,to assess the risk of surgery and to achieve space measurements,and it laid the foundation for the three-dimensional navigation.

PURPOSE: It is widely accepted that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is a signature of breast cancer stem cells, and high activity has been reported to be associated with poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of members of the ALDH family of isozymes in breast cancer tissues and to evaluate the implications of the results. METHODS: We analyzed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue from 160 patients with breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed on the slides using antibodies against different ALDH family members. We collated the IHC results with patient clinical characteristics and determined their prognostic value. In addition, we analyzed normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous tissues in situ to check their ALDH distributions. RESULTS: All the tested ALDH members were detected in the various tissue types, but at different levels. Only ALDH 1A3 was found to be significantly associated with distant metastasis (p=0.001), disease-free survival (p<0.001), and overall survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The level of ALDH 1A3 in breast cancer tissue is a predictive marker of a poor clinical outcome.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase* ; Antibodies ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoenzymes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Prognosis ; Stem Cells

Objective To study the type and corresponding clinical characteristics of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (HLH) associated immune gene mutations in the refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes. Methods From December 2009 to July 2010, the patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were screened for the primary HLH associated immune genes mutations by DNA sequence analysis, including PRF1, UNC13D, STX11, STXBP2, SH2D1A and XIAP. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were followed up. Results Totally 25 patients with refractory virus infection or HLH of unknown causes were investigated for the 6 genes and 13 cases were found carrying gene mutations, composing of 6 of PRF1 mutation, 3 of UNC13D, and each one of STX11,XIAP, SH2D1A and STXBP2, respectively. Among the 13 cases with gene mutations, 5 suffered from Epstein-Barr virus associated HLH( EBV-HLH), 1 human herpes virus 7 associated HLH (HHV7-HLH),1 HLH without causes, 4 chronic activated EB virus infection (CAEBV) with 1 progressing to Hodgkin's lymphoma carrying abnormal chromosome of t ( 15; 17 ) (q22; q25 ) and hyperdiploid, 2 EBV associated lymphoma. Among the other 12 patients without gene mutation, 4 suffered from EBV-HLH with 1 progressing to peripheral T lymphoma, 8 suffered from CAEBV. Conclusions Primary HLH associated immune gene mutations are critical causes of refractory virus infection of unknown causes, most patients manifest as HLH,some cases appear in CAEBV and EBV associated lymphoma. DNA sequence analysis is helpful to early diagnosis and correct decision-making for treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression status of the P450arom mRNA in breast tissue of pubertal mammary hypertrophy and then explore the possible etiology of pubertal mammary hypertrophy.

METHODS15 patients were selected for pubertal mammary hypertrophy group. Breast hypertrophy tissue specimens were collected from the gland excised during reduction mammaplasty. 15 patients with pathologically simple fibroadenoma were used as another control group. Patient approval of participation in this study was obtained preoperatively. The expression of P450arom mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in all the cases above.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the pubertal mammary hypertrophy groups and normal groups on the expression rates of P450arom mRNA. But among the positive cases, the expression of P450arom mRNA within breast tissue were 0.202 +/- 0.048 in pubertal mammary hypertrophy group; and 0.159 +/- 0.068 in normal group. There was significant difference between the pubertal mammary hypertrophy and normal groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of P450arom mRNA in pubertal mammary hypertrophy are significantly higher than in normal mammary glandular tissue. The pubertal mammary hypertrophy may be related to the expression status of P450arom mRNA within breast tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aromatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Puberty ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult