Objective To explore the risk factors of osteoporosis and the relation with pulmonary dysfunction in elderly patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Methods One hundred and eighty patients (82 females and 98 males) with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (AECOPD) from March 2006 to June 2008 were selected in the study. The bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae and hip joint were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA). All the patients were divided into two COPD groups with and without osteoporsis. The smoking history, incidence of vertebral fractures, glucocorticosteroid using condition and so on were recorded. The pulmonary function, 6-minute walk distance(6MWD), body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin concentration were evaluated. Results The mean age of all patients was (72±7)years, and the average smoking amount was (59±27)pack years. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was(36.46±9.8)%, and 30% of the patients had inhaled or oral glucocorticoids for more than 3 months. The BMD measurement results showed that BMD of 95% patients(171 cases) was lower than the normal level, and 119 cases (66%) had osteoporosis, including 61 males and 58 females (62%vs. 70%, x2 = 1.435, P=0.33), and 52 cases had (29%) osteopenia. Linear correlation analysis showed that BMI, 6MWD, RV% and FVC% had positive correlation with osteoporosis (r=0.362, 0.635, 0.688, 0.973;all P<0.05).Conclusions The prevalence of osteoporosis is high in elderly patients with moderate or severe COPD, and enough attention and active intervention shoule be paid.

Objective To investigate the related factors on effects of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the treatment of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis, and to construct and validate the efficacy prediction model. Methods A total of 127 cases of adenomyosis patients with symptoms of dysmenorrhea in Guangzhou No.1 People′s Hospital and Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from June 1999 to December 2009 were reviewed. The evaluation standard was to improve the degree of dysmenorrhea, the related factors of efficacy were analysed. Combined with artificial neural network theory, the effect prediction model was constructed, and the effectiveness of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the effectiveness of the cut-off point was calculated. The model was validated by 68 cases of patients with adenomyosis in the Nanfang Hospital from January 2010 to November 2014. Results (1) In 127 cases of dysmenorrhea patients, UAE treatment was effective in 98 cases, effective rate was 77.2% (98/127). (2) Age was an independent predictor of effective UAE treatment (HR=1.129, P=0.026);in the range of this study, the greater the age, the higher the UAE treatment efficiency. (3) The developing situation of ovary branches of uterine artery was an independent predictor of effective UAE treatment (HR=0.460, P=0.020), the efficiency of patients whose intraoperative bilateral uterine artery ovarian branch did not develop was 89.7%(35/39), the efficiency of patients whose unilateral uterine artery ovarian branch was developing was 84.1% (37/44) and the efficiency of patients whose bilateral uterine artery ovarian branch were developing was 59.1% (26/44). (4) Blood supply of adenomyosisis was an independent predictor of effective UAE treatment (HR=0.313, P=0.001). Type Ⅰ (bilateral predominated) patients, efficiency was 93.5%(43/46);typeⅡ(bilateral balanced) patients, efficiency was 78.0%(39/50);type Ⅲ (unilateral predominated) patients, efficiency was 51.6% (16/31). (5) UAE for the treatment of adenomyosis efficacy of artificial neural network prediction model was constructed, the model′s area under the ROC curve was 0.808, the optimal cut-off point was 0.669 13. Actual verification of the model, sensitivity was 96.5%, specificity was 81.8%, positive predictive value was 96.5%and negative predictive value was 81.8%, the total accuracy was 94.1%. Conclusions (1) Age, the developing situation of ovary branches and blood supply of adenomyosis are the independent predictors of effective UAE treatment. (2) The artificial neural network prediction model is satisfied with the accuracy and the accuracy of prediction.

Objective To assess the effect of upper airway reconstructive surgery for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with the obstructive sites determined by pressure measurements, and to evaluate the clinical value of upper airway menometry in localizing the obstructive sites. Methods Fifty-one moderate to severe OSAHS patients were examined using whole night recording, including airway continuous pressure measurements (ApneaGraph, MRA-Medical Ltd, UK).ApneaGraph (AG) transducer catheter contains two pressure and two temperature sensors used for obstruction site determination and detection of apnoeic events during sleep. Obstructive sites were divided into upper (retropalatal region) and lower level (retroglossal region). The lower limit of obstruction was determined by AG pressure pattern. Using constituent retio to reflect the obstructive propotion of different levels. All patients were divided into two groups (retropalatal or retroglossal) according to the primary obstructive level.The patients of retropalatal group were treated with modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), or plus hard palate shortening. The patients of retroglossal group underwent tongue and palatal surgical procedures such as UPPP, hyoid suspension, radiofrequent ablation of tongue base, genioglossus advancement etc. All patients were followed-up at least 6 months using Apneagraph. Clinical outcomes included the Epworth sleeping scale (ESS), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest arterial oxygen saturation (LSaO2).Results Five patients had moderate OSAHS and 46 were severe. Four patients had experienced UPPP failures. The ESS reduced from arerage 17.6 ±4. 7 to 4. 3 ±4. 3 ((-x) ±s, t = 15. 195, P <0. 001). The AHI reduced from average 52. 4 ± 17.5 to 16. 3 ± 18.2 (t = 10. 873, P < 0. 001). The LSaO2 increased from 0.706±0.099 ((-x)±s) to 0.823 ±0.092 (t= -8.396, P<0.001). The success was defined as a ≥50 percent reduction and final apnea-hypopnea index < 20/h, the total success rate was 76. 5%. Retropalatal group had 27 patients and 24 cases were in retroglossal group. Their success rate were 81.5% and 75.0% respectively. Conclusion The upper airway pressure measurements can identify the level of obstruction accurately and prove to be effective in the treatment of OSAHS.

BACKGROUNDMarked interindividual variation exists in blood pressure response to benazepril, which is considered to have genetic basis. Our objectives were to evaluate whether the E112D polymorphism in the prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) gene has impact on blood pressure response to benazepril.

METHODSHypertensive patients from Huoqiu County and Yuexi County of Anhui Province received daily treatment with an oral dosage of 10 mg benazepril for 15 days. Genotypes of the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene were determined by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Multivariate linear and Logistic regressions using generalized estimating equation model were performed in a total of 1092 patients to evaluate the association of PRCP genotypes and blood pressure response to benazepril.

RESULTSPatients carrying ED or DD genotype had a less systolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.7 + or - 1.1, P < 0.001), a less diastolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.1 + or - 0.8, P < 0.001) and a lower percentage of reaching target blood pressure defined as SBP lower than 140 mmHg and DBP lower than 90 mmHg (adjusted OR = 0.6, P = 0.005) than those patients carrying EE genotype. In addition, the results from stratified analysis by county (Huoqiu or Yuexi) were similar to those observed in the pooled population.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene may be a useful genetic marker to predict the antihypertensive effect of short-term benazepril treatment in hypertensive patients of Anhui Province, China.

Adult ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzazepines ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; physiology ; Young Adult

The plasma visfatin,endothelium-dependent artery dilation and intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries were measured in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes,obese patients and control subjects.Regional body fat were detected by MRI.The result suggested that plasma visfatin levels were significantly higher in obese subjects than those in non-obese subjects,and hypervisfatinemia is independently associated with fasting blood glucose.

To prepare doxorubicin-loaded N-octyl-N'-succinyl chitosan polymeric micelle (DOX-OSC) and study the biodistribution of DOX-OSC in mice, DOX-OSC was prepared by dialysis method. By using doxorubicin injection (DOX-INJ) as control, DOX-OSC and DOX-INJ were administered to mice through caudal vein at a dose of 5 mg x kg(-1) body weight. The RP-HPLC method was established to determine the DOX levels in the plasma and other tissues of mice. The tissues distribution and targeting efficiency were evaluated by pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, MRT) and targeting parameters (Re, Ce and Te). The drug loading and entrapment efficiency of DOX-OSC were (35.8 +/- 0.4)% and (75.3 +/- 1.1)%, respectively. The diameter and zeta potential of DOX-OSC were (174 +/- 12) nm and (-37.1 +/- 3.0) mV, respectively. The transmission electron microscope result showed DOX-OSC with spherical shape. The biodistribution results showed that the concentration of DOX of both DOX-OSC and DOX-INJ decreased rapidly in blood after iv administration. While free DOX levels in blood at 12-96 h were not detectable for DOX-INJ, in contrast, DOX level in blood at 96 h was still found for DOX-OSC. In contrast to DOX-INJ group, DOX-OSC showed a higher targeting efficiency in the liver and spleen. The AUCs of DOX in the liver and spleen were 20.0 and 47.4 times and the MRT were 11.2 and 37.2 times, respectively. And the levels of DOX-OSC in the heart and kidney tissues were significantly reduced. And the drug distribution of DOX-OSC in the heart and kidney tissues were 17.0% and 11.4%, respectively. Hence, DOX-OSC shows an excellent drug loading capabilities and a higher targeting efficiency in the liver and spleen. That the levels of DOX-OSC in the heart and kidney tissues are significantly reduced, might improve the treatment efficacy of DOX and decrease the side effects.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chitosan ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of pharyngoplasty on olfactory and taste function in treating obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHOD: Thirty-nine patients accepted pharyngoplasty for treating OSAHS from April 2005 to December 2005 who complained of olfactory and/or taste disturbances were analyzed in this study. RESULT: Four cases complained of taste disturbances , among them, one case complained of disturbance. The 1st case complained of hyposmia, complete taste loss of sour and salty and partial taste loss of sweet. The 2nd case complained of partial taste loss of sour, sweet, salty and bitter. The 3rd case complained of partial taste loss of sour. The 4th case complained of phantogeusia who had sour and bitter sensation in phlegm. CONCLUSION The olfactory and/or taste disturbances may be complications of pharyngoplasty. Surgeons should be careful during the operation to avoid the damage of olfactory and taste function.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olfaction Disorders ; etiology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Taste Disorders ; etiology

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there was agreement between the short daytime ApneaGraph (dAG) and nocturnal ApneaGraph (nAG) in diagnosing sleep respiratory events initially and identifying the site of obstruction in airway. METHOD: Twenty four patients diagnosed OSAHS by PSG were enrolled. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index (AI), obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI), central apnea hypopnea index (CAHI), mixed apnea index (MAHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2) and the proportion of upper/lower obstruction (UPPER, LOWER) of patients were measured using both dAG and nAG. RESULT: There were no significant differences between nAG and dAG for the following parameters: AHI, AI, CAHI, MAHI, OAHI, the proportion of upper/lower obstruction, or LSaO2 (P>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between nAG and dAG with regard to AHI, AI, MAHI, OAHI, the proportion of upper/lower obstruction , LSaO2 except CAHI. CONCLUSION The dAG has similar results with nAG in early diagnosis of sleep respiratory events and identifying the level of airway obstruction. The time-saving dAG is of considerable referential importance in diagnosis of sleep respiratory events and analysing the level of airway obstruction.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Exercise Test ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; methods ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the immunological and virological efficacy of the therapeutic vaccine HBV CS1, a recombinant fusion protein which is composed of HBV core aa 1-155 plus PreS1 aa 3-55,against chronic HBV infection.

METHODSHBV transgenic mice were immunized with HBV CS1(5 ug) emulsified in equal volume of complete Freund adjuvant on day 0, followed by a second vaccination with HBV CS1(5 ug) emulsified with incomplete Freund adjuvant on days 21. Mice of control group were mock-vaccinated with PBS plus complete Freund adjuvant/incomplete Freund adjuvant. The splenocytes of individual mouse were subjected to T cell proliferation assays by using 3Hg thymidine, HBsAg and HBV DNA in sera of mice were detected by ELISA and quantitative PCR, respectively.

RESULTSHBV CS1 specific T cell response were induced in mice immunized with HBV CS1, with the titer of HBsAg and the level of HBV DNA decreased significantly after twice immunization with HBV CS1, while the control group almost remained the same.

CONCLUSIONHBV CS1 has the immunological and virological efficacy against chronic HBV infection in HBV transgenic mice; HBV CS1 could represent candidate vaccine for further studies on its role as therapeutic vaccine against HBV chronic infection in human.

Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Protein Precursors ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; therapeutic use

This study was designed to investigate the biological and immunological characteristics of a human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell line SUDHL-4, and to establish a mouse model for human DLBCL. SUDHL-4 cells were cultured under different conditions. The morphology and in vitro expression of B-cell and tumor-related markers were detected by microscopy and flow cytometry respectively. To establish the transplanted tumor, the cells were injected subcutaneously into SCID mice. Tumor formation and its histomorphology were analyzed. The results showed that the expression of B cell/tumor-related markers was found on cultured SUDHL-4 cells. A stable mouse model of human DLBCL was successfully established in SCID mice by subcutaneous injection of 10(7) SUDHL-4 cells. Tumor tissue from mice exhibited similar histologic manifestation to those of human DLBCL. It is concluded that the SUDHL-4 cells represent a high consistency in immunological characteristics with human DLBCL. Transplantation of SUDHL-4 cells provides a syngeneic mouse model for the study of human DLBCL.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Neoplasms, Experimental