Purpose To investigate the value of 3.0T MR T1ρquantitative analysis in early detection of disc degeneration. Materials and Methods Conventional T2WI and T1ρwere collected in 35 healthy volunteers (male 16, female 19) on 3.0T MRI, and the classification of disc nucleus was performed by Pfirrmann classification. T1ρvalue of nucleus pulposus was measured and analyzed for the relationship among Pfirrmann classification, segmental and gender. Results There was a significant negative correlation between T1ρvalue and Pfirrmann grade (r=-0.542, P<0.001). T1ρvalue in L5/S1 segment (94.80±26.60) ms was significantly lower than that in L2/L3 (117.18±25.64) ms and L3/L4 (115.52±28.53) ms (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference among other segments (P>0.05);there was no gender differences among the T1ρvalue of each segment (t=0.006, 0.042, 0.797, 1.022, 0.038, P>0.05). Conclusion T1ρ value is closely related to the degree of disc degeneration, and T1ρimaging can be used as an objective, sensitive and effective tool for early detection of disc degeneration.

Objective To isolate and purify melanin from yeast cells of Penicillium mameffei (PM) and to analyze its physicochemical features.Methods PM yeast cells were cultured in minimal medium containing levodopa (L-dopa) with continuous shaking at 37 ℃.Melanin was isolated from the yeast cells of PM by cell walllysing enzyme,denaturant,concentrated hot acid,and purified by sodium hydroxide and concentrated hydrochloric acid.The physicochemical properties of isolated melanin were assessed on the basis of combined chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods including ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis),Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and electronparamagnetic resonance (EPR).Results Similar to synthetic dopa-melanin,the isolated melanin from PM was alkali soluble,acid-resistant,insoluble in water and most organic solvents,precipitated at or below PH 3,and could be bleached by hydrogen peroxide.UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis showed that the PM-derived melanin had a typical absorption peak at 205 nm and the absorbance decreased with the increase of wavelength.FT-IR spectroscopy displayed two absorption peaks at about 3 μm and 6 μm,which was characteristic of classic melanin.EPR spectroscopy revealed that the isolated melanin contained stable free radicals.Conclusion Yeast cells of PM can use exogenous L-dopa to synthesize dopa-melanin.

In order to assess the feasibility of subcutaneous administration of Triptorelin with 6-week intervals for the suppression of pituitary-gonadal axis and changes of clinical signs in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP), 46 girls with ICPP were treated with GnRHa. Triptorelin (Decapeptyl, 3.75 mg) was administered subcutaneously (SC) at 6-weeks intervals or intramuscularly (IM) at 4-weeks intervals randomly for more than 12 months consecutively. During GnRHa therapy, clinical parameters and laboratory data, including height, weight, pubertal stage, bone age, uterine volume and ovarian size, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), were monitored and analyzed. It was found that both treatment regimes led to regression of precocious puberty and reversal of secondary sexual characteristics. Breast developments regressed. Uterine volume was decreased after treatment, but there was no statistically significant difference. Mean ovarian volume did not change significantly during treatment. The height velocity was decreased significantly from 6.3+/-1.4 cm/year to 5.8+/-1.2 cm/year in group SC and 6.7+/-1.3 cm/year to 5.4+/-1.0 cm/year in group IM, respectively. The rate of bone maturation was reduced significantly during treatment. The ratio of deltaBA/deltaCA was 1.2+/-0.2 or 1.3+/-0.3 at the onset of therapy and decreased significantly after the treatment to 0.7+/-0.2 or 0.9+/-0.1, respectively. The predicted adult height was increased significantly and progressively during therapy. The levels of serum LH, FSH and E2 returned to the prepubertal condition. No significant side effects of therapy were noted. The most common side effect during SC treatment was that a non-irritating, 1 cm in diameter mass was palpated at the site of subcutaneous injection in the abdominal wall of patients, which disappeared after 6-12 weeks. Two girls had minimal withdrawal vaginal bleeding episodes after the first injection. It was concluded that both IM and SC triptorelin administrations were clinically effective. They induce profound suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis while stabilizing height velocity, slowing bone maturation and increasing predicted adult height. These results suggest that subcutaneous injection of triptorelin in 6-weeks intervals at a dosage of 3.75 mg be a safe and acceptable regimen for ICPP

AIM: To investigate the change of corrected vision and stereo vision in anisometropic patients after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).METHODS: The clinical data of 84 cases of anisometropic children(84 eyes) were retrospective analyzed.The changes of corrected visual acuity and stereopsis of different gender,age,type of amblyopia in children anisometropic before treatment,after treatment for 3,6mo and 1a were analyzed.The stereoscopic vision correction correlation were analyzed.RESULTS: Corrected Log MAR visual acuity and stereopsis of 84 patients after LASIK surgery treatment for 3mo,and 1a later significantly decreased than before treatment (P<0.05).The corrected Log MAR visual acuity and stereopsis of male and female after treatment for 3,6mo and 1a was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Corrected visual acuity of age <30 group for 3,6mo and 1a was significantly lower than the age ≥30 group (P<0.05).After 3,6mo and 1a stereo vision with hyperopic anisometropia amblyopia decreased more than that with myopic anisometropia amblyopia(P<0.05),but corrected Log MAR visual acuity after treatment was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).Improved correctted vision of anisometropic patients after LASIK surgery had no connection with the decrease of stereo vision(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: LASIK surgery can improve visual acuity in patients with anisometropia amblyopia,but the course of treatment of visual acuity and stereopsis affected by age and type of amblyopia.

Objective To explore the expression of COX-2 and p38MAPK in patients with trauma MODS. Methods Forty MODS patients were evaluated. The levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells COX-2 and p38MAPK in MODS patients and 40 normal controls was detected by enzyme linked immunosor-bent assay (ELISA). RT-PCR was used to measure the COX-2 mRNA and p38MAPK mRNA expression of in PBMCs. ANOV and correlation analysis were used in statistical analysis. Results The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs and the mRNA expression in MODS group were higher than in control group (all P <0.05). The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs and the mRNA expression in dead group were higher than in survival group( all P <0.05). The levels of COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs were positively correlated, (r =0.6 147, P<0.01). The expression of COX-2 mRNA, p38MAPK mRNA of PBMCs and APACHE I scoring were positively correlated (r1 =0.5 009, P1 <0.05,r2 =0. 5 316, P2 <0. 05). Conclusions COX-2 and p38MAPK of PBMCs take part in the onset of MODS, and may service as index to judge the prognosis of MODS.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of gabapentin or topiramate combined with venlafaxine in the treatment of chronic migraine patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Methods:From June 2018 to February 2020, 127 patients with chronic migraine complicated with generalized anxiety disorder in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were selected. The patients were divided into gabapentin combined with venlafaxine group (observation group, 64 cases) and topiramate combined with venlafaxine group (control group, 63 cases) according to the random number table method, and all patients were treated for 6 months. The headache attack days per month, headache visual analogue scale (VAS), migraine specific quality of life questionnaire V2.1 (MSQ V2.1), headache impact measurement-6 (HIT-6) score, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score were recorded before treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment.Results:In observation group, 57 cases completed 3 months of treatment, and 53 cases completed 6 months of treatment. In the control group, 56 cases completed 3 months of treatment, and 50 cases completed 6 months of treatment. The headache attack days per month, headache VAS, HIT-6 and PSQI 3 and 6 months after treatment in 2 groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, observation group: (16.31 ± 5.02) and (15.69 ± 6.31) d vs. (22.62 ± 3.27) d, (3.67 ± 1.60) and (1.91±1.05) scores vs. (5.09 ± 1.43) scores, (49.34 ± 11.01) and (47.34 ± 9.05) scores vs. (60.25 ± 11.61) scores, (10.09 ± 2.81) and (9.68 ± 2.74) scores vs. (13.50 ± 2.81) scores; control group: (14.58 ± 7.37) and (9.92 ± 5.07) d vs. (23.05 ± 5.24) d, (4.74 ± 1.15) and (3.16 ± 1.60) scores vs. (5.90 ± 2.06) scores, (42.77 ± 8.02) and (40.09 ± 9.72) scores vs. (59.37 ± 9.08) scores, (9.66 ± 2.71) and (8.62 ± 2.07) scores vs. (14.61 ± 2.79) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The headache VAS 3 and 6 months after treatment in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). The functional limitations, function loss, emotional function scores and total score of MSQ V2.1 3 and 6 months after treatment in 2 groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, observation group: (17.62 ± 9.81) and (16.01 ± 5.73) scores vs. (36.96 ± 9.55) scores, (12.17 ± 5.60) and (11.09 ± 3.27) scores vs. (17.06 ± 6.08) scores, (8.42 ± 2.17) and (8.94 ± 1.90) scores vs. (11.40 ± 4.09) scores, (33.24 ± 9.61) and (28.62 ± 5.04) scores vs. (62.75 ± 14.02) scores; control group: (17.08 ± 8.73) and (16.79 ± 5.19) scores vs. (36.82 ± 9.68) scores, (9.04 ± 4.48) and (8.90 ± 3.46) scores vs. (17.26 ±6.01) scores, (6.92 ± 2.61) and (5.15 ± 1.74) scores vs. (11.30 ± 5.47) scores, (31.65 ± 9.17) and (30.66 ± 6.04) scores vs. (62.91 ± 11.18) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the effective rate and the incidence of adverse drug reactions 3 and 6 months after treatment between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Gabapentin or topiramate combined with venlafaxine can reduce the degree of headache in chronic migraine patients with generalized anxiety disorder, reduce the number of headache days per month, improve sleep and improve the quality of life. However, the adverse reactions of gabapentin still need to be paid more attention.

Objective To evaluate the stability and biodistribution of a novel SPECT-MRI bi-functional agem 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in tumor-bearing nude mice. Methods DTPA-DG was synthesized and then conjugated with Gd2O3 to generate Gd-DTPA-DG. The tumor-bearing nude mice were scanned by MRI to evaluate the tumor targeting ability of Gd-DTPA-DG. The orthogonal experiment was applied to optimize pH value of reaction medium and reaction temperature. The radiolabeling efficiency was measured by thin layer chromatography. The distribution of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in nude mice was evaluated by scintigrapy in vivo. The % ID/g was measured at different time after intravenous injection of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG. Results The tumor was significantly enhanced by Gd-DTPA-DG with MRI. The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPADG was about 98.5% and remained 96.2% at room temperature for 6 h. The tumor was well visualized by 99TcmGd-DTPA-DG SPECT at 2 h after injection. The tumor uptake was (1.48 ±0.12) %ID/g, and the rumor to muscle radioactivity ratio was 2.91. Conclusions MRI contrast of Gd-DTPA-DG may enhance tumor detection. 99Tcm-labeled Gd-DTPA-DG may be useful for tumor imaging and might have a potential role as a SPECT-MRI bi-functional agent.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate combined with endocrine therapy (TURP + ET) with that of αlA-blockers combined with ET ((αlA-b + ET) in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and to investigate the safety of the TURP + ET for the treatment of PCa with BOO.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 63 cases of PCa with BOO, 28 treated by αlA-b + ET and the other 35 by TURP + ET. We obtained the residual urine volume (RV), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life score (QoL) before and after treatment along with the overall survival rate of the patients, followed by comparison of the parameters between the two methods.

RESULTSAt 3 months after treatment, RV, IPSS, and QoL in the TURP + ET group were significantly decreased from (137.8 ± 27.6) ml, (22.3 ± 3.6), and (4.2 ± 0.8) to (29 ± 13.6) ml, (7.8 ± 2.1), and (1.6 ± 0.5) respectively (P < 0.05), while Qmax increased from (5.6 ± 2.1) ml/s to (17.6 ± 2.7) ml/s (P < 0.05); the former three parameters in the αlA-b + ET group decreased from (133.6 ± 24.9) ml, (21.5 ± 3.2), and (4.7 ± 1.1) to (42 ± 18.3) ml, (12.8 ± 2.6), and (2.5 ± 0.7) respectively (P < 0.05), while the latter one increased from (6.3 ± 2.4) ml/s to (11.7 ± 2.3) ml/s (P < 0.05), all with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The overall survival rate of the TURP + ET group was not significantly different from that of the αlA-b + ET group (51.4% vs 46.4% , P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTURP + ET is preferable to αlA-b + ET for its advantage of relieving BOO symptoms in advanced PCa without affecting the overall survival rate of the patients.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery

As one of the significant parts of medical science research in China, the research on Chinese medicine (CM) reflects the essence of healthcare tradition in the country both theoretically and clinically, and embodies the values of Chinese culture. Therefore, in the practice of ethics review on CM research protocols, besides abiding by the contemporary prevalent international principles and guidelines on bioethics, which emphasizes the scientific and bioethical value of the study, we should also stress the CM theoretical background and relevant clinical experience in the framework of Chinese culture and values. In this paper, we went over the traits of CM clinical research and the experience from the practice of ethics review by the institution review board for bioethics, and then attempted to summarize the key points for the bioethics review to CM researches in China, so as to serve as reference for the bioethics review to traditional and alternative medicine researches.
China ; Drug Monitoring ; Ethics Committees, Research ; ethics ; Ethics, Medical ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects

Literature about functional dyspepsia treated with acupuncture in recent 5 years is retrieved in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and PubMed. The research achievements are arranged and summed up to explore the mechanism of acupuncture for functional dyspepsia. It is found that acupuncture can regulate the secretion of braingut petide, and cause the coordination response of limbic system-brain. Also, it adjusts serum molecule metabolin and the gene expression of the transduction pathway of adjustment signal for rats. It is believed that functional dyspepsia treated with acupuncture is through multiple ways, and adjusting the function of braingut axis is one of the important mechanisms.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Dyspepsia ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Humans ; Rats ; Signal Transduction