Objective To study the related factors of hyponatremia in the elderly patients with chronic heart failure in order to provide evidences for preventing and nursing of hyponatremia.Methods Clinical data of 143 patients over 65 years old were investigated.The patients were divided into hyponatremia group (n =47)and control group (n =96).There were 29 cases with more than 80 years older and 19 cases with 65-79 years older in hyponatremia group.The data from the two groups were compared.Results The patients in hyponatremia group were significantly older than these in control group [(88.5 ± 4.8) vs (82.5 ± 7.5),t =4.895,P ＜0.01),and the incidences of hypertension,pneumonia,diabetes and acute heart failure,as well as the usage of diuretics and nasogastric tubes in hyponatremia group were significantly higher than that in the control group(x2 =26.034,14.492,5.385,10.881,12.674,5.389;P ＜ 0.05).Very elderly patients needed longer time to achieve normal natrium level in blood serum than that elderly patients (t =5.069,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Hyponatremia of the elderly patients with chronic heart failure was related to hypertension,pneumonia,diabetes,acute heart failure,usage of diuretics and nasogastric tubes.The symptoms of hyponatremia in very elderly patients is atypical,which are very likely to be neglected.We should pay more attention to the special population.

Objective To investigate the evaluation significance of plasma D-dimer level for the prognosis in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) excluding pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods The patients with AECOPD were collected from the respiration department and emergency internal medicine department of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University during 2007-2011.Thirty-five AECOPD cases of D-dimer positive and excluding PE and lower extremity deep venous thrombus(DVT)by CT angiography served as the experimental group and 35 cases of D-dimer negative as the control group.The differences in the first time hospitalization duration,GOLD grade,mortality rate,re-hospitalization times within 4 years,times of admission to ICU,times of intracheal intubation,rehospitalization and outside-hospital mortality rate were compared between the two groups.The receiver operatingcharacteristic(ROC)curve was applied to evaluate the short-term and long-term prognostic capacity of D-dimer.The t test at the follow up end point was used to analyze the D-dimer level in the death group and the survival group.Results The D-dimer level,length of hospital stay,death number of first time hospitalization,times of re-hospitalization,times of admission to ICU,times of intubation,re-hospitalization and outside-hospitalization mortality rate and total mortality rate had statistical differences between the experimental group and the control group(P＜0.05);but the differences in the age,gender and GOLD grade between the two groups had no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The sensitivity of D-dimer＞1 165 μg/L for predicting the death number of the first time hospitalization was 87.5 ％,and the specificity was 80.6 ％.The sensitivity of D-dimer＞ 865μg/L for predicting the mortality rate of re-hospitalization and outerside-hospital was 78.9 ％,and the specificity was 74.5 ％.The survival curve graph during the follow up period in the two groups revealed that the survival time and survival rate had statistical difference between the two groups.The D-dimer level in the death group was significantly higher than that in the survival group with statistical difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion The D-dimer level is an independent risk factor affecting the short-term and longterm prognosis of AECOPD.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus electroacupuncture (EA) for treating peripheral facial paralysis and its influence on patients' facial nerve functions, facial disability index and clinical symptoms and signs. Methods: A total of 96 peripheral facial paralysis patients were allocated into an observation group, a medicine group and an EA group by simple randomization, with 32 cases in each group. Patients in the medicine group were treated with oral mecobalamine and prednisone acetate; patients in the EA group were treated with EA on the basis of the medicine treatment; while patients in the observation group were treated with acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA. After 4-week treatment, the clinical efficacy, the adverse events, and the scores of House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading scale, visual analog scale (VAS), clinical symptoms and signs, and facial disability index (FDI) were compared. Results: After 4-week treatment, the total effective rate was 96.9％ in the observation group, higher than 68.7％ in the medicine group and 75.0％ in the EA group (both P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the scores of H-B grading scale, VAS and clinical symptoms and signs in the three groups dropped significantly compared with those before treatment, and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the medicine group and EA group (all P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the facial disability index-physical function (FDIP) in the FDI in the three groups increased significantly, with a higher value in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). The facial disability index-social function (FDIS) in the FDI dropped significantly, with a lower score in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). However, the comparisons of the items above between the medicine group and the EA group showed no statistical significance (all P>0.05). The between-group comparison of the adverse event across the three groups showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA can decrease H-B grade, reduce pain severity and improve clinical symptoms and signs as well as the facial disability condition in peripheral facial paralysis patients. This method produced more significant efficacy compared with oral medicine and medicine plus EA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and its role in the acquisition of invasive and metastatic potentials of PCa.

METHODSWe detected the expressions of COX-2 in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, C4-2, IF11, IA8 and PC-3 with different metastatic potentials by Western blotting and RT-PCR, and analyzed their roles in the invasion and metastasis of different PCa cell lines.

RESULTSWestern blotting and RT-PCR showed that the expression of the COX-2 protein was high in PC-3, but absent in IF11, IA8, LNCaP and C4-2 (P < 0.05), and it was consistent with the expression of COX-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 expresses differently in PCa cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The overexpression of COX-2 may be associated with the high invasion and metastasis of PC-3, but not with the metastasis of other cell lines.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effect and possible mechanisms of lute-olin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (LGU) against focalcerebral ischemic injury. METHODS The focal cerebral ischemic injury model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group(MCAO),LGU group(0.24,0.72 and 2.16 mg·kg-1)and positive control group(Edaravone at 5 mg·kg-1).LGU was injected intravenously 30 min after MCAO.Neurological severity score,infarct volume and brain water content were detected 24 h after MCAO and the levels of Na+-K+ATPase,Ca2+ATPase,TNF-α and IL-1β were detected to explore the possible mechanisms.For the therapeutic time window test,LGU(0.72 mg·kg-1)was injected intrave-nously 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h respectively after MCAO. To evaluate motion behavior, LGU were injected intravenously 30 min after MCAO and once per day during detection period. The changes of motor coordination were detected by rotating rod method and grip strength analysis, and the changes of gaits were detected using DigiGait Imaging System. RESULTS LGU improved the neurological severity score, infarct volume ratio and brain water content. The therapeutic time window of LGU for cerebral infarction and brain edema was at least 6 h and for neurological dysfunction was 12 h.LGU also prolonged the latency on rotarod, increased the forelimb tension and improved 8 gait parameters, including stance duration,stride length,stance width,paw area,paw area variability,gait symmetry,ataxia coefficient and tau propulsion.Furthermore,LGU increased Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase levels in the cortex and hippocampus in the ischemic side,reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum. CONCLUSION LGU has a significant neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemic injury via improving energy metabolism and reducing inflammation.

Objective To explore the compliance and clinical effect of anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray on perianal eczema in patients with diarrhea .Methods One hundred and sixty patients with perianal eczema induced by diarrhea were chosen and randomly divided into the observation group and the control groups , each with 80 cases.The control group received anti-inflammation and antipruritic lotion in bath , and the observation group received anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray in external use .The compliance , the improvement of clinical symptoms and clinical effect were compared between two groups .Results The compliance was 97 .50%in the observation group , and was 85% in the control group , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =7.83, P<0.01).The total efficiency was 97.5% in the observation group, and was 80%in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.42, P<0.05).The improvement of clinical symptoms on papule , pruritus, erosion, exudation, incrustation and furfuration in the observation group was better than that of the control group , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.10, 28.27, 10.62, 6,62;P<0.05).Conclusions Anti-inflammation and antipruritic spray is effective in the treatment of perianal eczema and easy to be used .

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of -1C/T single nucleotide polymorphism within Annexin A5 gene in the genetic susceptibility to coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).

METHODSFour hundred and seventy CWP Han chinese patients and 428 Han chinese controls were enclosed in present case-control study. All subjects were exposed to coal dusts. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the -1C/T SNP in Annexin A5 gene for all subjects. The relationship between the -1C/T SNP in Annexin A5 gene and CWP was analyzed.

RESULTSCT/TT genotype in -1C/T SNP was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CWP, as compared with the CC genotype among subgroups exposed to coal dusts for ≥ 27 years (adjusted OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.44 - 0.98, P = 0.039) and patients with CWP at stage II (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34 - 0.90, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONThe results of present study suggest that the Annexin A5 -1C/T polymorphism may be involved in the development of CWP in Han Chinese coal miners.

Aged ; Annexin A5 ; genetics ; Anthracosis ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUNDAlthough Multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) has been considered a diagnostic imaging technique that observes more perspectives for diseases, few people have applied it surgically. In fact, MPR is also very useful to clinical operation, especially for patients with type B aortic dissection. It helps the surgeon to locate accurately with more information about aortic dissection, so that the safety and effectiveness of operation can be improved. This study examined the application of the MPR in intraoperative DSA imaging for precise positioning by accurately obtaining a cross-section, a spin angle of the coronal plane, and a tilt angle of the sagittal plane in treatment of type B aortic dissection.

METHODSThe conventional and the MPR approaches were compared on positioning the aortic arch for surgery. A group of 40 patients (group A) and another group of 42 patients (group B) was sampled. About the comparison of baseline characteristics, a fourfold table χ(2) test was conducted on gender, and two independent samples t-test was applied to age between group A and group B. Spin as well as tilt angles for group A were obtained from the patients using both approaches, and their effectiveness was compared with pair t-tests; The MPR data guided stent-grafting in this group. Stent graft placement of group B was based on the conventional approach. Percentages of proximal distributed markers as well as incidences of complications were collected from both groups after stent graft placement. They were also compared with a fourfold table χ(2) test.

RESULTSGender difference was not found between group A and group B (χ(2)0.80, P > 0.05), and age difference was not statistically significant (F = 2.55, homogeneity of variance, t = -1.46, P > 0.05). A significant difference was found between the conventional and the MPR approaches for spin angle (t = 9.17) as well as tilt angle (t = 2.07), P < 0.05. Percentage of proximal distributed markers (5.0%) of group A was significantly lower than that of group B (42.9%), χ(2) = 15.92, P < 0.05; and incidence of complications (5.0%) of group A was also significant lower than that of group B (21.4%), χ(2) = 4.76, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSApplication of the MPR facilitated intraoperative angle adaption and led to satisfactory DSA. It is feasible in endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection, and can effectively and safely guide surgical operations.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality of life ( QOL) of inpatients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis( CWP) and analyse its influential factors, and to provide a theoretical basis for effective control measures.

METHODSEighty-eight CWP patients in a hospital were included in the study. A questionnaire survey was conducted in them using a self-designed QOL scale. A database was established by software EpiData3.1, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed by software SPSS 16.0.

RESULTSOf the 88 patients, 73( 82.9%) had middle-level QOL, with a mean QOL loss rate of 36.2%; the loss rates of physical function and somatic sensation were the highest ( 44.2% and 41.5%). The patients with stage II CWP had significantly lower physical function than those with stage I and III CWP; the physical function and social function of patients significantly decreased with age; the personal income, household income, and housing condition of the patients had a marked impact on their physical and psychological functions, and the housing condition and education level had a marked impact on their social function. The multivariate analysis showed that old age, low income,and poor housing condition were the main adverse factors for the QOL of inpatients with CWP.

CONCLUSIONThe QOL of inpatients with CWP declines significantly, and their QOL is related to the age, income, and satisfaction with housing condition.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthracosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in silica-induced α-SMA (α smooth muscle actin) expression in HEB (human bronchial epithelial) cell.

METHODSThe cultured HBE cells were divided into 5 groups: control, silica, PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002), both PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002) and silica at the same time and the inhibitor 24 h ahead of silica. The final concentrations of PI3K inhibitor and silica were 10 µmol/L and 100 µg/ml, respectively. Western blots were used to detect protein expressions of Akt, p-Akt, TGF-β and α-SMA. The location and expression of α-SMA were measured by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSHBE cell line exposed to silica can induce Akt phosphorylation, in which expressions of p-Akt were up regulated 1 times at 48 and the highest at 72 h. The expressions of TGFβ increased remarkably at 12 h and the peak at 48 h after silica exposure, while the expressions of α-SMA increased at 24 h and the highest at 72 h. However, the PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002) significantly down regulated α-SMA expression. When the cell line exposed to the PI3K inhibitor ahead of silica 24 h, the expressions of p-Akt and α-SMA were more remarkably down regulated which were decreased 1.5 times and 7.6 times respectively compare to silica exposure group. But no significant changes were found for TGFβ expressions. The immunofluorescence assay showed that silica can induce α-SMA expression, which located in cytoplasma, and PI3K inhibitor can decrease the expression.

CONCLUSIONSSilica induced α-SMA expression in HBE cell line is by targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway and PI3K inhibitor can repress α-SMA expression.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism