Objective To study the relationship between the level of uric acid and oxidative stress in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (CSHF). Methods One hundred and nine hospitalized patients from June 2006 to March 2007 were selected. Based on organic heart disease and heart function, they were classified into two groups: CSHF group (81 cases) and control group (28 eases). According to NYHA heart function grade (Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ), CSHF group was divided into three subgroups. The plasma concentration of GSH and GSSG was determined by using glutathione reduetase recycling method (GR-DTNB). Redox potential (Eh) was calculated using Nemst equation according to the concentration of reduced and oxidized glutathione. Results There was significant difference between control group and CSHF group in the level of uric acid [(310.54±99.92) μ mol/L vs (499.09±168.04) μ mol/L], P < 0.01. Uric acid had a negative correlation with LVEF (r=-0.247, P=0.026), and a positive correlation with LVED D (r=0.266, P=0.016). The concentration of uric acid had a negative correlation with GSH (r=-0.328,P=0.003), and a positive correlation with GSSG (r=0.244, P=0.028) and Eh (r=0.309, P=0.005). Conclusions The concentration of uric acid increases in CSHF patients and has a correlation with LVEF and LVEDD. It may be a supplementary marker to reflect heart function and the serious degree of CSHF. The concentration of uric acid has a negative correlation with GSH, and a positive correlation with GSSG and the value of Eh. It may be used as an indicator of oxidative stress concerning its metabolic pathway.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the salvage pathway for the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) from nicotinamide. NAMPT is also a cytokine that inhibits the apoptosis of neutrophils under various inlfammatory stimuli, regulates various diseases and closely associates with the progression and prognosis of cancers. However, it is still not clear whether the cytokine-like function of NAMPT is interrelated with the biosynthesis enzyme activity of NAD+. This article aims to provide novel insights for inflammation and cancers treatment by reviewing the function of NAMPT in inflammation, carcinogenesis, cancer progression and its inhibitors, APO866/FK866.

Objective To study the changes and clinical significance of glutathione redox-state in patients with chronic heart failure.Methods A total of 81 hospitalized CHF patients(NYHA heart function grade from Ⅱ to Ⅳ)and a total of 28 paroxysmal supraventricular(PSVT)patients without other diseases(controlled group)were recruited in Cadiovascular Wards of the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from Jun.2006 to Mar.2007.The plasma concentration of GSH and GSSG was determined by using glutathione reductase recycling method(GR-DTNB).Redox potential(EhGSH/GSSG)was calculated using Nernst equation according to the concentration of reduced and oxidized glutathione.Results(1)The concentration of GSH was significantly lower in CHF group compared with control group(P

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiaoxinyin treatment for diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN);To evaluate its efficacy and safety.Methods One hundred patients of DCAN were randomly divided into experimental group (51 cases) and control group (49 cases). Both groups were given basic treatment of diet control and Metformin hydrochloride tablets orally taking. Patients in the experimental group were given Tiaoxinyin, while patients in the control group were treated with Mecobalamin tablets for 8 weeks. Changes and untoward effects in blood glucose, blood fat and heart rate variability were observed before and after treatment so as to compare the efficacy of two groups.Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was 82.35% (42/51) and the control group was 63.27% (31/49), with statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.01). The TCM scores of the two groups decreased after treatment, with statistical significance compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). The difference in TCM scores between the two groups was significance (P<0.05). The level of FBG and 2 h PG in the two groups declined (P<0.05). Heart rate variability had statistical significance compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), with statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reaction was found.Conclusion Tiaoxinyin is effective and safe in treating DCAN and can improve the heart rate variability indicators in patients.

Objective To investigate the influence of the biofeedback electrostimulation against the pelvic floor muscles to cure female pelvic floor dysfunction disease (PFD). Method Fifty-four female PFD patients treated with the biofeedback electrostimulation against the pelvic floor muscles by applying with different frequency and pulse width for different patients. Results The cure rate of the pelvic organ prolapse (POP) patients was 10.0%(1/10) and the cure rate of the post partum pelvic floor injury patients was 100.0%(32/32) except the stress urinary incontinence(SUI) patients. But the SUI patients improved efficacy rate was 91.7%(11/12) and the POP patients improved efficacy rate was 70.0%(7/10). The total efficacy rate was 94.4%(51/54). Conclusions It shows that the biofeedback electrostimulation against the pelvic floor muscles could cure the female PFD,reduce the disease morbidity of the PFD and improve the quality of female patient's lfie. As a result, the curing method could have clinical application prospect extensively.

Objective:To establish the quality standard for Qinzhu Liangxue mixture. Methods:Seutellaria baiealensis, glyeyrrhizae and jobstears seed were identified by TLC. Baicalin and glycyrrhizic acid were determined by HPLC. Results:Seutellaria baiealensis,glyeyrrhizae and jobstears seed could be identified by TLC. The linear range of baicalin was 0. 030- 0. 971 mg·ml -1(r = 1. 000 0),and the average recovery was 97. 74%(RSD = 2. 76% ,n = 9). The linear range of glycyrrhizic acid was 0. 013- 0. 220 mg·ml -1(r = 1. 000 0),and the average recovery was 99. 02%(RSD = 1. 79% ,n = 9)Glycyrrhizic acid. Conclusion:The method is specific,simple and accurate. It can be used for the quality control of Qinzhu Liangxue mixture.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of the patients with allergic rhinitis diagnosed by Skin Prick Test (SPT), especially about the epidemiologic data of the involved allergens. METHOD: The data was collected from 958 patients referred to the listed three allergy center and subsequently diagnosed as allergic rhinitis by SPT. RESULT: The intermittent mild type was more prevalent in male patients (40.5%); comparably the intermittent moderate type in female patients (70.0%); in the infant patients the moderate-severe type dominated (73.7%). The positive results of SPT comprised mainly of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der. p, 98.3%), Dermatophagoides farinae(Der. f, 96.8%), and Blomia tropicalis (Blot, 73.8%). Only 1.7% of the patients was allergic to single allergen, in contrary ,the majority of patients were allergic to multiple allergens. The positive rate to Der. p and Der. f was reversely increasing with age of the patients; and contrarily the number of positive allergens was increasing along with the age of the patients. The allergy to outdoor allergen was less common, and the positive rate in skin prick test was lower than the previously reported rate in North China ,such as timothy (3.9%), birch (2.7%), ragweed (2.0%), and mugwort (1.2%). CONCLUSION Dust Mite is the predominant allergen for patients with allergic rhinitis in Guangdong province; and the positive rate to outdoor allergen is lower than that in North China.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; analysis ; immunology ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV),independently and jointly with the level of body mass index(BMI),affect the risk of incident diabetes with hypertension. Methods The effects of baPWV and BMI level on incident diabetes with hypertension were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves (log-rank test) and multi logistical regression models after adjustment for various confounding factors. Results A total of 2 222 participants were recruited in this study. Higher baPWV (Q4) was associated with a greater risk of incident diabetes with hypertension simultaneously compared with baPWV in the lower quartiles(Q1-Q3),with HR 4.16(95% CI 2.14,8.09)in the crude model,2.52(95% CI 1.10,5.78) in modelI,and 2.45(95% CI 1.05, 5.70)in modelⅡ.The highest risk of diabetes with hypertension simultaneously was in the group with high baPWV and BMI≥25 kg/m2,with HR 11.50(95% CI 4.5,29.9)in the crude model,4.20(95% CI 1.4,13.1)in modelI,and 4.30(95% CI 1.4,13.3) in modelⅡ. Conclusions The joint effect of baPWV and BMI level on incident diabetes with hypertension simultaneously is a better predictor than their independent effect. The risk of incident diabetes with hypertension markedly increases in the subjects with BMI≥25 kg/m2and higher baPWV.

Objective:To explore the volume resolution of prostate motion target by four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound.Methods:The prostate ultrasound model was selected, and the group comparison study was conducted using 4D ultrasound to outline the prostate target under different motion amplitudes (A) and motion period (T). The simulated A value was set as 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm, respectively. The T value was set as 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, and 4 s, respectively. The volume of the target of the model prostate was calculated, and the static ultrasound image of the target was used as the control group to analyze the difference between two groups.Results:When the model was still, the size of the target of ultrasound was consistent with that of CT scan ( P>0.05). When the A values were 0.5 mm and 1 mm, there was no statistical difference between the volume in period 1-4 s and the volume in the target at rest (all P>0.05). When the A values were 2 mm and 3 mm, and the T values were 1 s, 2 s and 3 s there was statistical difference between the volume of target and that of of static ultrasonic target (all P<0.05). When the A value was 2 mm and the T value was 4 s, there was no statistical difference between the target volume and the static target volume ( P=0.710). The range within the group was 6.7 cm 3, and the standard deviation was 1.15 cm 3. When the A value was 3 mm and the T value was 4 s, the volume repeatability of the target was poor, and the range within the group was 14.4 cm 3; when the A values were 4 mm and 5 mm, and the T values were 1-4 s, the range within the group was 3.27-17.63 cm 3 and 6.51-21.02 cm 3, respectively. The volume repeatability of the target under each period was extremely poor, which could not meet the clinical requirements. Conclusion:4D ultrasound can provide reliable reference data for patients′ target delineation within 1-4 s of motion cycle and within 1 mm of motion amplitude, which exerts on effect upon the original position of probe.

Objective:To develop the real-time radiotherapy monitoring system of three-dimensional (3D) point cloud by using depth camera and verify its feasibility.Methods:Taking the depth camera coordinate system as the world coordinate system, the conversion relationship between the simulation CT coordinate system and the world coordinate system was obtained from the calibration module. The patient's simulation CT point cloud was transformed into the world coordinate system through the above relationship, and registered with the patient's surface point cloud obtained in real-time manner by the depth camera to calculate the six-dimensional (6D) error, and complete the positioning verification and fractional internal position error monitoring in radiotherapy. Mean and standard deviation of 6D calculation error, Hausdorff distance of point cloud after registration and the running time of each part of the program were calculated to verify the feasibility of the system. Fifteen real patients were selected to calculate the 6D error between the system and cone beam CT (CBCT).Results:In the phantom experiment, the errors of the system in the x, y and z axes were (1.292±0.880)mm, (1.963±1.115)mm, (1.496±1.045)mm, respectively, and the errors in the rotation, pitch and roll directions were 0.201°±0.181°, 0.286°±0.326°, 0.181°±0.192°, respectively. For real patients, the translational error of the system was within 2.6 mm, the rotational error was approximately 1°, and the program run at 1-2 frames/s. The precision and speed met the radiotherapy requirement. Conclusion:The 3D point cloud radiotherapy real-time monitoring system based on depth camera can automatically complete the positioning verification before radiotherapy, real-time monitoring of body position during radiotherapy, and provide error visual feedback, which has potential clinical application value.