ObjectiveTo comparethetherapeutic efficaciesofaconite-cake-partitionedmoxibustionat different frequencies in treatingbenign prostatic hyperplasiadue tokidney-yangdeficiency.MethodEightypatientswere randomized into four groups:control group,treatment group1(moxibustiononceper day),treatmentgroup2(moxibustiontwiceper day), andtreatmentgroup3 (moxibustiononce every other day).TheInternational prostate symptom score (I-PSS), TCM syndrome score, maximum flow rate of urine (Qmax) and bladder residual urine volume (PVR) were observedbefore and after intervention.ResultAfter treatment,the improvement of theInternational prostate symptom scoreandTCM syndrome score,increase of Qmax and decrease of PVR were found in the three treatment groups, while the therapeutic efficacy in treatment group 1 was more significant than that in the rest groups. The total effective rate was 70.0% in the control group, 85.0% in treatment group 1, 80.0% in treatment group 2, and 65.0%in treatment group 3.ConclusionAconite-cake-partitionedmoxibustionat different frequenciescan produce therapeutic efficacies to different extent in treatingbenign prostatic hyperplasiadue tokidney-yangdeficiency, and the comprehensive analysis shows that the optimal frequency is once per day.

Objective To develop a portable automatic tourniquet.Methods Using microcomputer and pressure sensor,the pressure and hemostatic time of current pressurized tourniquet were controlled.Results Portable automatic tourniquet was composed of gasbag pressurized bandage,electric micro-pump,pressure sensor,preamplifier,impact damper,A/D converter,single-chip micro-computer controller,data memory,keyboard and its interface circuit,display and its interface circuit,photoelectronic control circuit,etc.Conclusion Portable automatic tourniquet is small,light,safe and convenient.Besides,rapid hemostasia and automatically controlled & stable pressure enable it to be used both in the war and at peace time.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2008,29(2):21-23]

BACKGROUND:Osteogenic differentiation is a complex process involving transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation by multiple signaling pathways, and the specific mechanisms remain unclear. It is of great significance to study the role of critical miRNAs in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone defects. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory ability of miR-21/Sprouty1 function axis in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from healthy people (H-hBMSCs) and patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP-hBMSCs), and their osteogenic ability was compared. Expression of miR-21 and Spry1 at gene and protein levels was detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blot assay, respectively. miR-21 expression was upregulated via transfection in PMOP-hBMSCs, and the osteogenic ability and Spry1 expression of the cells were detected, while real-time RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteogenic marker genes, Runx2 and Osterix. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with H-hBMSCs, PMOP-hBMSCs osteogenic ability was weakened significantly, miR-21 expression decreased, and Spry1 expression increased, indicating an inhibition to the miR-21-Spry1 function axis. Through the transfection of miR-21 and down-regulation of Spry1, the expression levels of Runx2 and Osterix were increased, and PMOP-hBMSCs osteogenic ability was partially restored.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects and adverse reaction of raltitrexed combined with radiation for esophageal carcinoma in elderly patients.Methods Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups by the envelope method, 30 patients in experimental group received raltitrexed combined with radiotherapy and 30 patients in control group received radiotherapy only.Patients in both groups received conventional radiotherapy with a total dose of 56-60 Gy/28-30 F.In experimental group, raltitrexed 2.6 mg/m2 was administered concurrently with the radiotherapy on d1 and d22.Two cycles of concurrent chemotherapy were administered during radiotherapy.The short-term effects, survival times and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared.Results The total effective rates of experimental group and control group were 93.3% and 73.3%, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=4.320, P=0.038).The median survival times of experimental group and control group was 24.0 months and 12.0 months, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference by Log-rank test (χ2=6.048, P=0.014).The major adverse reactions of grade 3-4 in experimental group and control group were radiation-induced esophagitis (10.0% vs.3.3%;χ2=0.268, P=0.605), leukopenia (13.3% vs.10.0%;χ2=0.000, P=1.000), thrombocytopenia (3.3% vs.0;P=1.000), nausea and vomiting (6.7% vs.0;χ2=0.517, P=0.472), and the differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion Raltitrexed combined with radiotherapy can enhance the short-term effect and prolong the survival time for the elderly esophageal carcinoma patients, and the adverse reactions are mild.It is worthy of further clinical study.

Objective To evaluate the changes of the left atrial function in patients with old myocardial infarction(OMI) by strain rate imaging(SRI). Methods The velocity of the left atrial lateral wall and atrial septum was measured by SRI in 30 patients with OMI(OMI group) and 25 normal subjects (control group). Left atrium passive eject volume index(LAPEVl) and left atium active eject volume index (LAAEVI) were measured using Simpson method. Results ①Compared with the control group, the velocity of the left atrium was reduced obviously in ventricular systole and early ventricular diastole in OMI group(P<0.05) ,but was increased in late ventricular diastole(P<0.05). ②Compared with the controls, LAAEVI was increased significantly in OMI group, but LAPEVI was decreased signicantly(P <0.001). Conclusions SRI could be used to evaluate the left atrial function accurately in patiens with OMI.

Objective To investigate the detection of human bocavirus (HBoV) in children with acute respiratory infection and to explore the relationship between viral load and clinical characteristics of acute respiratory infection in children.Methods A total of 4 501 nasopharyngeal secretion samples were collected from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection from January 2013 to June 2013.HBoV-positive children were divided into simple infection group and mixed infection group.Children with HBoV DNA≥1 × 104 copy/mL were categorized into high viral load group,while those with HBoV DNA ＜1 × 104 copy/mL were categorized into low viral load group.HBoV was determined by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),influenza virus (Inf)-A,Inf-B,parainfluenza virus (Pinf)-Ⅰ 、Pinf-Ⅱ 、Pinf-Ⅲ and adeno virus antigen were detected by direct antigen-specific immunofluorescence assays.Mycoplasm Pnuemonia was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Serum mycoplasma antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Bacteria was detected by sputum culture.Over the same period,23 children undergoing elective inguinal hernia operation with no respiratory infection or fever were considered as control group.The percentage of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were tested by flow cytometry.Inter-group differences were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher exact test.Viral loads were compared using Mann-Whitney test.Results Two hundred and twenty-two HBoV-positive cases were detected with a positive rate of 5.41％ (222/4 105),33.33％ (74/222) of which were with high viral load and 66.67％ (148/222) were with low viral load.There was a high incidence in the age group of 1-2 years.The simple HBoV infection accounted for 24.32％,including 26 cases with high viral load and 28 cases with low viral load.Wheezing was more common in patients with high viral load than those with low viral load,and the difference was statistically significant (88.46 ％ vs 42.86 ％,x2 =12.295,P=0.001).Among the 222 HBoV-positive cases,the median viral load of HBoV in simple infection group was 3.86 × 103 copy/mL,and 1.0× 103 copy/mL in mixed infection group.The difference of the viral load between these two groups was statistically significant (Z =2.906,P =0.004).Mycoplasma and Streptococcus pneumonia were most commonly detected in the 168 patients with mixed infection.Percentages of CD3+ and CD3+/CD8+ subsets were significantly lower in HBoV simple infection group and mixed infection group,compared to control group (both P＜0.05).However,percentages of CD3 /CD19+,CD19+/ CD23+ subsets were significantly higher in HBoV simple infection group and mixed infection group,compared to control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusions HBoV is one of the pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infection in children,which lead to cellular immunity dysfunction in children.Moreover,children with higher HBoV load are more likely to develop wheezing.Co-infection with other pathogens should be considered in children with low HBoV load.

Objective To probe the feasibility of gemstone spectral CT in imaging pulmonary angiography with low dose contrast medium.Methods A prospective study with multi-slice spiral CT pulmonary angiography was performed in consecutive 48 patients suspected with pulmonary embolism.Two groups (n=24 respectively)were divided at random including Group A used Gemstone spectral CT with 35 mL of contrast medium and Group B using 64-slice CT with conventional 80~90 mL of contrast medium.The CT values of the pulmonary trunk,lobe artery,pulmonary vein and ascending aorta were measured.The contrast to noise ratio of the pulmonary artery was also calculated.In addition,the image quality of CTA was evaluated independently by two experienced ra-diologists.Results The CT values of the pulmonary trunk and the subsegmental branches,and the CNR in Group A were signifi-cantly higher than those in group B,exhibiting statistical differences (t=8.6,P <0.001;t=12.2,P <0.001;t=1 1.3,P <0.001 respectively).However,the CT value of aorta in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B (t=-7.6,P <0.001).The evaluation results of the CTA images by two radiologists showed that the image quality in Group A was better than that in Group B (Z =-8.6,P <0.001;Z =-9.0,P <0.001 ).Conclusion The image quality of pulmonary angiography with gemstone spectral CT using low contrast medium dose can be improved compared with the conventional spiral CT.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for poor response to treatment in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The clinical manifestations,treatment and follow up data of the initial onset SLE patients in our hospital were collected retrospectively.According to the response to treatment after 6 months,patients were divided in two groups.One was treatment effective group,and the other was poor response group.The data of the two groups were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 Counted data were analyzed by Chi-square test.Measurement data were analyzed by t-test.The areas under ROC curve of the measurement data which had statistical significance were calculated and further Logistic regression analysis were made.Results In all of the 82 patients with first onset SLE,72 patients were in the treatment effective group and 10 were in the poor response group.Boy gender (5/10 & 12/72,x2=5.937,P=0.015),edema (10/10 & 25/72,x2=15.294,P＜0.O1) and serositis (8/10 & 25/72,x2=7.485,P=0.006),higher positive rate of Coombs' test (7/8 & 14/29,x2=3.931,P=0.047) and histological class Ⅳ or Ⅳ+Ⅴ of lupus nephritis (8/9 & 6/30,x2=14.278,P＜0.01) were more common in the poor response group.The level of hemoglobin (P=0.013),serum albumin (P=0.001) and globulin (P=0.004),creatinine clearance (P＜0.01),serum calcium (P=0.040) and immunoglobulin (P=0.006) of the patients in the poor efficacy group were lower than those of patients in the treatment effective group.The level of serum potassium (P=0.011),serum phosphorus (P=0.035),24 hours proteinuria (P=0.001) and SLEDAI (P=0.002) of the patients in the poor response were higher than those patients in the treatment effective group.The creatinine clearance was lower than 75.91 ml·min-1· 1.73 m-2,24 hours proteinuria was higher than 1 771.5 mg and SLEDAI was higher than 11.5 could be the diagnostic cutoff value to predict the poor response to treatment in juvenile-onset SLE patients.The results of Logistic regression analysis showed creatinine clearance lower than 75.91 ml ·min-1· 1.73 m-2 was the risk factor that could influence the outcome of SLE patients (P=0.043).The OR was 23.9 and 95％CI was from 1.10 to 516.8.Conclusion In juvenile-onset SLE patients,boys have poor response to treatment.The creatinine clearance lower than 75.91 ml·min 1· 1.73 m-2,24 hours proteinuria higher than 1 771.5 mg and SLEDAI higher than 11.5 can predict the poor response to treatment in juvenile-onset SLE patients.In addition,the SLE patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia may have poor response to treatment.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that miR-21 expression is increased during osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, but the action and molecular mechanism of miR-21 are stil unclear. OBJECTIVE:To verify the target gene of miR-21, Spry1, and to explore the role of Spry1 in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Luciferase report was used to verify Spry1 gene targeted by miR-21, and western blot assay was used to detect the expression of Spry1 in the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Spry1 expression vector was established and transfected into human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Osteogenesis ability of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was analyzed after Spry1 high expression by alkaline phosphatase, alizarin red staining, RT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Luciferase report suggested that Spry1 was a target gene of miR-21. The expression level of Spry1 was decreased in the osteogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Increasing expression of Spry1 could inhibit osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. These results indicate that Spry1 as a target gene of miR-21 negatively regulates osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and plays an important role in bone formation process.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a low-dose contrast medium protocol for 64-slice CT angiography (CTA) of head using a low-tube-voltage setting.Methods ① Phantom study:64-slice spiral CT respectively sets 80,100,120,140 kV and 100,200,300,400,500 and 600 mA as scanning parameter lines.Analysis of the best Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and contrast to noise ratios (CNR).②Clinical study:to prospectively continuous select sixty-six patients with suspected intracranial aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation and so on from April to October of 2012 to perform hand CTA inspection.The random number table method for A,B two groups,33 patients in each group.Group A (conventional group)scanning parameters:120 kV,400 mA and amount of contrast agent:1 ml/kg; Group B(test group) scanning parameters:80 kV,600 mA,amount of contrast agent 0.5 ml/kg.Using independent samples t test for each group radiation dose,SNR,CNR were statistically analyzed.By two experienced radiologists to 5 points on two groups of image quality subjective evaluation.Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis of subjective evaluation.Results Group A and B group CTDIvol respectively is 59.1,27.5 mGy.Group B than in group A,CTDIvol decreased by 53.5％.A,B groups of the SNR,CNR were 71.5 ± 10.7,92.0 ± 7.4; 58.5 ± 10.5,79.6 ± 7.7,Group B than in group A SNR,CNR were enhanced by 22.3％,26.4％,differences were statistics significance (t =584.0,388.6,P ＜ 0.01).The subjective image evaluation of group B was bigher than group A (Z =31.2,23.4,P ＜ 0.05),differences were statistics significance.Two physicians on CTA images to assess the consistency of uniform height(Kappa =0.904,P ＜0.05).Conclusion In the head CTA examination,use of low tube voltage combined with low contrast dose not only can improve the image quality but also radiation dose were significantly lower.