Objective To compare and evaluate the performance and applications of three assays in preliminary screening of dengue infections.Methods This study was designed as a retrospective study.Clinical data were obtained from 2 137 borderline cases from September to October in 2014 and 2015.Markers of dengue infections of serum samples were detected by NS1 antigen captured ELISA, dengue NS1 detect rapid test and dengue IgM detect rapid test, respectively.Chi square test was used to compare the preliminary screening value of these 3 methods.Forty-eight diagnosed patients were also examined in the 1st-3rd day, 4th-5th day, 6th-7th days and 14th day after infection to access the sensitivities and specificities of three assays.Results Nine hundred and fifty-seven ( 57.2%) cases in 2014 and 48 ( 10.4%) cases in 2015 were diagnosed to be Dengue fever of 2 137 borderline cases.The overall sensitivity of NS1-ELISA was superior to NS1 and IgM rapid detect test (χ2 =40.865,P<0.001;χ2 =151.383,P<0.001).No significant differences were found in specificity between three assays(χ2 =0.661,P=0.416;χ2 =0.548,P=0.459; χ2 =2.397,P=0.122).The NS1 detecting assays were sensitive in 7 days after infection, but the sensitivity of IgM detecting assay increased over time.Conclusions NS1 detecting assays had good sensitivities and specificities, which can be used as an important method in preliminary screening of dengue infection.ELISA or rapid test can be selected according to epidemic situation.

Objective To explore the expression difference of cytokines related to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway among different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1 (IL-1),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in 146 patients with DN and 62 individuals undergoing healthy physical examination in the control group were measured.Results The levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6 and IL-8 in various DN groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05).The levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly different among groups of different TCM syndromes (P＜0.05).With the progression of DN,all cytokines levels showed a gradually increasing trend,moreover the increased extents and time were different in different TCM syndrome types of DN.Conclusion The levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6 and IL-8 related to NF-κB signaling pathway are correlated with different TCM syndromes types and may play a role in the occurrence and progression of different TCM syndrome types of DN.

Objective To investigate the life satisfaction and its related factors in primary caregivers of breast cancer patients. Methods The Life Satisfactory Index A (LSIA) and self-administrated questionnaire were used. The life satisfaction between breast cancer patients'primary caregivers and breast benign patients' primary caregivers were compared. The factors of the life satisfaction in primary caregivers of breast cancer patients were analyzed. Results The life satisfaction was poorer in the breast cancer patients' primary caregivers than in the breast benign patients' primary caregivers (P<0.01). The life satisfaction in the breast cancer patients' primary caregivers was correlated with the stage of breast cancer, course of disease, primary caregivers' age and family monthly income (P<0.05). Conclusion The life satisfaction in breast cancer patients' primary caregivers is worse and is related with stage of breast cancer, course of disease, primary caregivers' age and family monthly income.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage (PTGCD) in treating aged patients with acute cholecystitis complicated by severe diseases. Methods The clinical data of 15 aged patients with acute cholecystitis or complicated by severe diseases, who were encountered at authors’ hospital in the past three years and were treated with PTGCD, were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical results were discussed. Results PTGCD was successfully accomplished with single procedure in all 15 patients. Abdominal pain was relieved within one to three days, and the abdominal symptoms and signs subsided or disappeared. Reexamination of routine blood test showed that the white blood cell count decreased to normal range in 1 - 2 weeks, and complete cure was achieved in some patients. Secondary surgery was carried out in some patients after the clinical condition was improved. During the follow-up period no complications occurred in all patients except one who developed biliary leakage after the catheter was retrieved two weeks after the treatment. Conclusion For the treatment of complicated acute cholecystitis in aged patients who are not suitable to receive surgery, DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage is an ideal therapeutic means as it can significantly relieve clinical symptoms.

Background and purpose:It was reported that chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1)were involved in the proliferation,differentiation,and metastasis of tumor.This study was designed to observe the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and study the relationship between the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 and different clinicopathlogical characteristics,and further to explore the clinical significance.Methods:For the detection of the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4,43 primary hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues,27 normal hypopharyngeal tissues,34 lymph node metastastatic lesions and 9 normal lymph node lesions were detected by immunohistochemical method using rabbit anti-human CXCR4 polyclonal antibody.Results:The positive expression rates of CXCR4 in 43 hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and normal tissues were 95.3% and 22.2%,respectively(P

Objective To study the interobserver variabilities and the differential diagnosis value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-Ultrasound (BI-RADS-US) lexicon for small ( ≤ 2 cm) breast nodules. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2011, 289 patients with small (≤2 cm) breast nodules (n=317) were included. According to sizes, the lesions were divided into two groups, i.e., 0-1 cm (n=160) group and 1-2 cm (n=157)group. Each lesion was described independently by 3 radiologists using BI-RADS-US lexicon. Interobserver variabilities were assessed by Kappa test. Chi-square test was used to compare the frequency difference of the descriptors between malignant and benign lesions. Sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negtive predictive value were calculated. Results (1)Moderate agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin, echo pattern, surrounding tissue and calciifcations (κ=0.44, 0.57, 0.48, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.57) in 0-1 cm group. Substantial agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin and echo pattern (κ=0.65, 0.61, 0.64 and 0.63) in 1-2 cm group. (2)Irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo and microcalciifcations were more frequently found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 0-1 cm group [52.3% (34/65) vs 20.0% (19/95), 38.5%(25/65) vs 13.7%(13/95), 75.4%(49/65) vs 32.6%(31/95), 18.6%(12/65) vs 0 (0/95) and 10.8%(7/65) vs 2.1%(2/95);χ2=18.19, 13.08, 28.22, 16.39 and 3.95;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.047]. Similarly, irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were signiifcantly more frequent found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 1-2 cm group [74.2%(49/66) vs 12.1%(11/91), 36.3%(24/66) vs 5.5%(5/91), 93.9%(62/66) vs 22.0%(20/91), 37.9%(25/66) vs 3.3%(3/91), 30.3%(20/66) vs 7.7%(7/91), 15.2%(10/66) vs 0 (0/91) and 16.7%(11/66) vs 4.4%(4/91);χ2=62.59, 24.21, 79.40, 31.22, 13.73, 12.30 and 6.67;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.010]. (3)In both groups, a good sensitivity was demonstrated (75.4%&93.9%) when using the non-circumscribed margin as a criterion for malignancy, and high speciifcity was achieved in two groups (80.0%-100%and 87.9%-100%) when other descriptors including irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were used as differentiation criteria. Conclusions Good interobserver agreement can be achieved using the BI-RADS-US lexicon in the diagnosis of small breast nodules. Non-circumscribed margin are proved as the most valuable sign for screening malignant breast lesions ≤ 2 cm. High speciifcity was found for irregular shape, nonparallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, Cooper′s ligament changes and microcalciifcations, which can help biopsy and preoperative diagnosis.

BACKGROUND:Posterior stabilized femoral knee prosthesis needs additional condyle osteotomy to accommodate the tibial post and femur fossa structures. Intercondylar fossa on both sides connected at the femoral body with concentrated stress is a place easily affecting fractures. Differences in bone mass between different models of different brands did not have specific data, which was not convenient to select prosthesis for clinicians.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference of intercondylar osteotomy data among clinical commonly used posterior stabilized knee prostheses (six imported and domestic brands), and to provide basis for the selection and application of the prostheses.
METHODS:The current commonly used posterior stabilized knee prostheses (six imported and domestic brands) were used, including Zimmer NexGen LPS, Stryker Scrorpio NRG Knee-Flexed, Depuy PFC Sigma, Smith & nephew Genesis-2 PS, United-U1 and Wego GKPS. According to the osteotomy template, the osteotomy-surfaces consisting of femoral condyle starting section and cross section, distal section of femoral condyle, and back-oblique section were identified. The corresponding femoral prosthesis diameter lines included condylar ambilateral and anteroposterior diameters, width and depth of femoral intercondylar fossa. The above data were compared and measured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The six kinds of knee femoral prostheses were different in ratio of ambilateral diameter and anteroposterior diameter, bone resection of intercondylar fossa, and geometry. Imported prostheses carry shorter diameters in femoral starting and cross sections, so it can catch more posterior condylar osteotomy. With increasing prosthesis sizes, the ratio of bone loss causing by width of intercondylar osteotomy is decreased among six brands. In al sizes, Stryker Scrorpio NRG Knee-Flexed catches shorter width of intercondylar osteotomy. Knee prosthesis osteotomy among six brands is different. The result of this study is not sufficient to evaluate the pros and cons between different prostheses, but as reserving bone is concerned, the design of less intercondylar osteoomy catches more advantages.

OBJECTIVE:To study the interaction mechanism between flavonoids and human serum albumin (HSA),and to compare the effects of different B-ring substitutions(hydroxyl,methoxyl group)of flavonoids on macromolecular receptor. METH-ODS:The interaction regularity between three flavonoids with different B-ring substitutions(quercetin,hesperetin,methyl hespere-tin) and HSA was studied with fluorescence spectroscopy,the fluorescence quenching types between 3 flavonoids and HSA were determined and analyzed,and the velated binding constant,binding site and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. RE-SULTS:The quenching constants (Ksv) and binding constants (KA) were decreased with the increase of temperatures. The number of binding site(n)was approximately equal to one,and the thermodynamic parameters ΔH<0,ΔS>0,the binding interaction of these compounds with macromolecules was influenced because of the difference of the B-ring substituents. CONCLUSIONS:The quenching mechanism between three flavonoids and HSA was static quenching;the number of binding site was one;the interaction force of the three compounds with HSA was mainly static electricity,and hydroxyl group in the B-ring was likely the major active group and exerted stronger binding force than methoxyl group to connect with macromolecules.

To study the in vitro anti-angiogenesis effect of three curcumin pigments (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin). In the study, the inhibitory effect of the three curcumin pigments on proliferation of HUVEC cells induced by OX-LDL and the effect on migration of HUVEC cells were detected. The effect on neovascularization was observed by chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test. The effect on cell adhesion factors ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 of HUVECs were tested by Real-time RT-PCR. It was found that the three curcumins could inhibit the proliferation of HUVEC cells induced by OX-LDL within the dosage range 4, 8, 16 mg x L(-1), with a dose-dependence. The proliferative effect of curcumins on HUVECs was greater than the other two derivatives (P < 0.01). All of the three curcumin pigments inhibited the migration of HUVEC cells and the angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The migration inhibition rate of curcumins at middle and high concentrations was greater than the other two (P < 0.01). All of the three curcumin could down-regulate the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1, and curcumins showed more obvious effect in down-regulating VEGF than demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin(P < 0.01); Bisdemethoxycurcumin showed the most significant effect in down-regulating ICAM-1 (P < 0.01). All of the three showed no remarkable effect on expression of VCAM-1, and only bisdemethoxycurcumin showed the down-regulating effect (P < 0.05). According to the findings, all of the three curcumin pigments could resist angiogenesis by inhibiting proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and down-regulating the expression of VEGF and adhesion molecules ICAM-1.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

This study is to screen the Chinese herbal compounds which could inhibit the production of Abeta and investigate the underlying mechanism. Ten types of compounds which have potential value in the treatment of AD were selected as initial screening trial. The cell models which used could overexpress Abeta and beta-secretases or Abeta and gamma-secretases. Extracellular Abeta was determined by ELISA after the cell models treated with different concentrations of compounds (0.5-100 micromol x L(-1)), separately. Then the compounds were selected which could inhibit extracellular Abeta and their best concentration ranges were decided, too. Furthermore, the cell viability and apoptosis rate, the level of intracellular Abeta, beta and gamma-secretases were determined after the cell models treated with different concentrations of selected compounds. The results showed that 4 of the 10 compounds could reduce the level of extracellular Abeta; they were cryptotanshinone, astragalosides, gastrodin and paeoniflorin, and their best concentration ranges were 0.5-5.0, 0.5-5.0, 5.0-50, 1.0-25 micromol x L(-1), respectively. Further study indicated that the 4 selected compounds were nontoxic to the cellular models and lowering intracellular Abeta were more effective compared with extracellular; of which astragalosides and gastrodin showed dose-dependent inhibition to the activities of beta and gamma-secretases, with the maximum inhibiting rates of 78.2% and 80.3%, respectively. In conclusion, cryptotanshinone, astragalosides, gastrodin and paeoniflorin could inhibit the expression and secretion of Abeta, and the underlying inhibiting mechanism of astragalosides and gastrodin were related with the reduction of the beta and gamma-secretase activities, respectively.
Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Apoptosis ; Benzyl Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology