OBJECTIVETo study and compare the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and probiotics combine Deanxit in treating diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS).

METHODSTotally 64 D-IBS patients accompanied with anxiety and/or depression were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (Group A) and the electroacupuncture (EA) group (Group B), 30 patients in Group A and 34 patients in Group B. Patients in Group A took Bacillus licheniformis and Deanxit, while those in Group B received EA. Four weeks consisted of one therapeutic course. Three-month follow-up was carried out. The scoring for the digestive tract symptoms, HAMA score, and HAMD score were evaluated before and after treatment. The recurrence in the 3-month follow-up was also observed.

RESULTSThe total effect rate was 86.67% in Group A and 88.24% in Group B with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the scoring for the digestive tract symptoms, HAMA score, and HAMD score (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the improvement of defecation frequency score, HAMA score, HAMD score between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). Better effects on improving abdominal pain score and abdominal distention score was obtained in Group B (P < 0.01), while better effects on improving the stool form score and mucus score were obtained in Group A (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups within the two-month follow-up (P > 0.05). The recurrence rate within the 3-month follow-up was obviously lower in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA and Western medicine (probiotics combined Deanxit) could effectively treat D-IBS patients accompanied with anxiety and/or depression. Both of them had different superiorities in improving symptoms. But EA had better long-term therapeutic effects.

Adult ; Anthracenes ; therapeutic use ; Diarrhea ; therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Flupenthixol ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Prune Belly Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of hair dermal papilla and its regulatory role in the growth cycle of the hair follicles.

METHODSSingle hair follicles were isolated from surgical specimens of human scalp and cultured in Williams E medium. The growth of the hair follicle was measured and the morphology and structure of the dermal papilla in the different growth cycles were observed continuously.

RESULTSThe hair follicle could grow in the medium for 12 days at the average growth rate of 0.2-0.3 mm/day. The flat and round dermal papilla lay at the bottom of the hair bulb in the telogen and anagen stages. In the hair follicle with accelerated growth, the dermal papilla became elongated, loosened, and closely adhered to the hair matrix. In the catagen stage the dermal papilla shrunk, and became separated from the hair matrix. A new hair bulb was regenerated when the hair follicle was transected at a low level. The hair follicle stopped growing after transection at a higher position.

CONCLUSIONThe hair dermal papilla is the essential for hair follicle growth, and plays an important role in regulating the hair growth cycle.

Dermis ; cytology ; growth & development ; Hair ; growth & development ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; growth & development ; Humans ; Tissue Culture Techniques

OBJECTIVETo review the experience of staged total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in complex congenital heart diseases.

METHODSFrom June 1998 to March 2008, 22 patients underwent staged TCPC for complex congenital heart diseases. Among them, 9 were univentricular and pulmonary artery valve stenosis; 3 were univentricular and pulmonary artery atresia; 1 was transposition of great arteries, crisscross heart and pulmonary artery valve stenosis; 1 was complete atrioventricular canal defects, left ventricular hypoplasia, pulmonary artery atresia and atrioventricular valvular regurgitation; 1 was complete atrioventricular canal defects, left ventricular hypoplasia, pulmonary artery valve stenosis and atrioventricular valvular regurgitation after Glenn procedure; 1 was mirror image dextrocardia, single ventricle, pulmonary artery atresia, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) and right pulmonary arteriovenous fistula after Glenn procedure; 4 were tricuspid atresia and pulmonary artery valve stenosis; 1 was tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia; 1 was mirror image dextrocardia, double-outlet of right ventricle, left ventricular hypoplasia, pulmonary artery valve stenosis, tricuspid incompetence, and MAPCAs. Among them, 5 patients received systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt, bidirectional Glenn procedure and TCPC. Seventeen patients received bidirectional Glenn procedure, the mean age was (5.9+/-4.4) years old. Pulmonary artery pressure pre-Glenn procedure was 17 to 20 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). Atrioventricular valve incompetence in 3 patients. Nakata index was less than 200 mm2/m2 in 4 patients before the first stage operation. The age of TCPC procedure was (9.6+/-4.9) years old, the interval time was (3.7+/-1.2) years.

RESULTSThere was one in-hospital death, the mortality was 4.5%. The patient with univentricular and pulmonary atresia, received systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt, bidirectional Glenn procedure and TCPC and died of pneumorrhagia. Other patients were recovered well, postoperative central venous pressure was 12 to 18 mm Hg, percutaneous oxygen saturation was 90% to 96%. The cardiac function were in NYHA class I to II.

CONCLUSIONSThe staged TCPC was a good procedure in high-risk Fontan candidates. The results were satisfactory for those patients. This staged strategy may extend the operative indications for the Fontan procedure.

Adolescent ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Bypass, Right ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Venae Cavae ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic variants of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene in a Chinese population and to determine whether the ACE2 gene polymorphisms are associated with essential hypertension (EH).

METHODSSeven hundred and forty-five patients with EH and 362 normal blood pressure controls were included in the study to assess the contribution of polymorphism of ACE2 gene. Direct DNA sequencing was performed to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 subjects who were randomly selected from the EH patients.

RESULTSOne SNP named G8790A located in the 4th base of the third intron was found in the 20 patients. The genotyping data indicate that the A allele frequency in male EH patients complicated with cardiac incompetence(55%) is significantly different from that in the control group(43.3%)(P<0.01). The A allele frequency in female patients with cardiac incompetence (56.1%) is higher than that in the controls (50.5%), but the difference does not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONThe G8790A polymorphism may be related to the essential hypertension with cardiac incompetence in Chinese population. Additional investigation will be need to confirm the association.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to describe a new technique of combined hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap in laryngeal reconstruction after tumor resection, and to evaluate outcome.

METHODSSix patients requiring an frontal partial laryngectomy for cancer were enrolled between September 2008 and August 2012.

RESULTSNasogastric feeding was initiated within 24 hours. The mean times to swallow batter, ability to drink water and removal of the nasogastric tube were 2.6, 5.5 and 6.3 days. All patients had good respiratory function. There were no deaths, and no reports of postoperative dyspnea or dysphagia. The vocal quality was satisfactory, slightly deeper and raspy, and the volume was weak when calling. The final follow-up assessment was in August 2012, and the overall mean follow-up period was 29.5months, range 14 to 47 months. Case two subsequently underwent total laryngectomy for recurrence in the paraglottic space, but there was no evidence of further tumor recurrence at the final assessment.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined muscle-pedicle hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap is a reliable graft for one-stage repair of laryngotracheal defects, providing effective repair of the mucosa and cartilage support. Vocal quality, swallowing function and ventilation after the procedure were favorable.

Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; surgery ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Laryngoplasty ; methods ; Larynx ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

Autophagy plays important roles in modulating viral replication and antiviral immune response. Coronavirus infection is associated with the autophagic process, however, little is known about the mechanisms of autophagy induction and its contribution to coronavirus regulation of host innate responses. Here, we show that the membrane-associated papain-like protease PLP2 (PLP2-TM) of coronaviruses acts as a novel autophagy-inducing protein. Intriguingly, PLP2-TM induces incomplete autophagy process by increasing the accumulation of autophagosomes but blocking the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Furthermore, PLP2-TM interacts with the key autophagy regulators, LC3 and Beclin1, and promotes Beclin1 interaction with STING, the key regulator for antiviral IFN signaling. Finally, knockdown of Beclin1 partially reverses PLP2-TM's inhibitory effect on innate immunity which resulting in decreased coronavirus replication. These results suggested that coronavirus papain-like protease induces incomplete autophagy by interacting with Beclin1, which in turn modulates coronavirus replication and antiviral innate immunity.
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology ; Autophagy ; Beclin-1 ; Coronavirus NL63, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HEK293 Cells ; HeLa Cells ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Evasion ; Immunity, Innate ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; immunology ; Lysosomes ; metabolism ; virology ; MCF-7 Cells ; Membrane Fusion ; Membrane Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Papain ; genetics ; immunology ; Phagosomes ; metabolism ; virology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Virus Replication

Objective To understand the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection among newly reported HIV-infected patients from 2016 to 2017 in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to detect HCV antibodies in 2 196 newly reported HIV-infected persons in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, from 2016 to 2017. Results A total of 694 cases(31.6%) were detected antibodies against HCV during HIV-infected persents. The prevalence of HCV co-infection among newly reported HIV-infected patients in Chinese and Burmese was 14.4% (112/780) and 41.1% (582/1 416), respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of HCV co-infection was higher in male, ethnic minorities such as Dai and Jingpo minority, primary school and below and farmers in both Chinese and Burmese. Multivariate Logistic regression model showed that HCV infection was associated with male, Dai minority, HIV infection by injecting drug and famers among Chinese and Burmese reported HIV-infected patients. Conclusions The prevalence of HCV co-infection was high among newly reported in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Meanwhile, the epidemiological characteristics of HIV/HCV co-infections in Chinese and Burmese are different, thus different prevention and control measures are needed for patients of different nationalities.

OBJECTIVETo report the experience of extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection (ECTCPC) in surgical treatment of complex congenital heart diseases.

METHODSFrom 1998 to 2006, 68 patients underwent ECTCPC for complex congenital heart diseases. Among them, 45 had functional univentricle with transposition of the great artery (TGA) and pulmonary artery valve stenosis, 19 had tricuspid atresia with hypoplasia of right ventricle, 4 had Ebstein's anomaly with hypoplasia of right ventricle. Six had left superior vena cava, 18 had received Bidirectional Glenn operation; Fifty-seven cases were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with general anesthesia and hypothermia, 11 cases were performed without cardiopulmonary bypass.

RESULTSThere were two death, the mortality was 2.9%. All patients were followed up from 1 to 8 years with no clinical symptoms and have been doing well. The arterial oxygen saturation was 90% - 96%, the cardiac function were in NYHA class I - II.

CONCLUSIONThe extra cardiac conduit TCPC is a simple procedure and superior to other type of Fontan procedure in most patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant Chinese women.

METHODSA nested case-control study was conducted. Clinical and biochemical data were analyzed for 200 subjects with GDM and 200 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).

RESULTSThe median (interquartile range) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were 22.39 (17.67, 29.38) and 25.86 (19.09, 34.88) nmol/L in the GDM and NGT groups, respectively. Rates of 25OHD deficiency or insufficiency were significantly higher in the GDM group than in the NGT group. Subjects with 25OHD levels <25 nmol/L had a 1.8-fold higher risk of GDM compared with subjects with higher vitamin D levels. In the GDM group, serum 25OHD was independently associated with HbA1c and insulin resistance after adjusting for confounding factors. In the NGT group, serum 25OHD was independently associated with fasting plasma glucose and systolic blood pressure after adjusting for maternal age and other confounding factors.

CONCLUSION25OHD insufficiency is very common in Chinese women. Low 25OHD status may be associated with insulin resistance and act as a risk factor for GDM.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diabetes, Gestational ; blood ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; blood ; epidemiology