Objectives　To investigate the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy), folic acid, vitamin B12(VitB12),lipids and the carotid artery atherosclerosis(CAAs) and the significance of their levels in predicting cardiac and cerebral vascular events of older patients. Methods　Both sides of the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery were measured by B-mode ultrasound in 74 examinees in A, B, C, and D groups and a control group. With fasting serum, cholesterol, triglyceriade, apolipoprotein AI(Apo AI), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), lipoprotein (a) ［Lp(a)］, creatinine, glucose, folic acid, Vit B12 and Hcy were detected. Results　When carotid artery atherosclerosis became severer, serum Hcy was higher. The levels of the control and A, B, C, D groups were (10.2±3.6) μmol/L, (11.5±4.4) μmol/L, (17.9±4.5) μmol/L, (24.7±10.3) μmol/L, and (41.4±22.3) μmol/L respectively. SNK test showed a significant difference between D and other groups (P>0.05). Folic acid and Vit B12 were negatively correlated with the severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis, but only A and D groups showed statistical significance. Spearman correlation coefficient showed that serum Hcy had significant negative correlation with folic acid and Apo AI(P=0.035 and P=0.000).Multiple linear regression analysis between CAAs and various risk factors showed Apo AI had negative correlation, but Apo B, Lp(a) and Hcy had positive correlation with CAAs, especially Hcy(P=0.009).Conclusion　Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an important risk factor of artery atherosclerosis and the degree of CAAs is highly correlated with Hcy concentration. Hcy, Apo AⅠ,Apo B, Lp(a) are sensitive and reliable indexes for evaluating and predicting CAAs.

BACKGROUND:Thyroid cancer stem cells are one of the reasons for tumor resistance that promotes tumor development. The research of thyroid cancer stem cells has provides a new clinic means for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. OBJECTIVE:To overview the discovery, identification, and correlation of thyroid cancer stem cells with thyroid cancer. METHODS:A computer-based online search of PubMed database and Wan Fang database between 1995-01/2014-01 was performed to search related articles with the key words of“thyroid cancer, cancer stem cell, stem cell, cancer suppressor gene”in English and Chinese, respectively. Literatures related to thyroid cancer stem cells were selected;in the same field, the articles published lately in authoritative journals were preferred. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 561 literatures were primarily selected, and 57 documents were involved for result analysis according to inclusion criteria. Cancer stem cells have become a focus in the study of carcinogenesis. Stem cells also exist in the thyroid gland and its tumor. At present, there are several ways to isolate and identify thyroid cancer stem cells. The tumor thyroid stem cells are closely related to the occurrence, transfer and treatment of tumors. But whether we can cure thyroid cancer through restraining or eliminating thyroid cancer stem cells is stil unknown that needs further studies.

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; complications ; Kidney ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Uric Acid ; blood

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of self made Qinchai Kangdu mixture for treatment of infantile EB virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis and explore its potential mechanism. Methods A prospective study was conducted. One hundred and twenty children with pediatric EBV infectious mononucleosis and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of flaring heat in Qifen and Yingfen in Wuhan Children Hospital were randomly divided into observation group and control group (each, 60 cases). Conventional western medical treatment was given to the two groups for 7-10 days;the observation group was additionally given Qinchai Kangdu mixture which included the following ingredients:Scutellariae Radix 10 g, Bupleuri Radix 10 g, Artemisiae Annuae Herba 10 g, Forsythiae Fructus 20 g, Arctii Fructus 10 g, Paeoniae Radix Rubra 10 g, Cinnamomi Ramulus 6 g, Moutan Cortex 10 g, Trionycis Carapax 10 g, Isatidis Radix 20 g, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium 10 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix 10 g, orally, once daily for 7-10 days. The times of returning to normal for clinical symptoms and signs, white blood cell count (WBC), peripheral blood abnormal lymphocyte ratio and the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were observed in the two groups. And the clinical efficacy, changes in score of TCM syndrome and adverse reactions were also investigated in the two groups. Results The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [93.33%(56/60) vs. 76.67%(46/60), P<0.05]. In observation group, the duration of fever (days:6.9±2.3 vs. 7.7±3.4), and the recovery times to normal for body temperature (days:2.9±1.4 vs. 4.8±1.7), angina (days:7.2±3.3 vs. 8.0±3.2), lymph node reduction in size (days: 6.6±2.1 vs. 10.2±2.0), enlarged liver bounce back in size (days: 7.8±1.7 vs. 9.6±2.0), WBC (days:7.22±1.78 vs. 10.67±1.97), peripheral blood abnormal lymphocyte ratio (days:7.24±1.86 vs. 11.15±1.65), and ALT (days:8.44±1.83 vs. 11.43±2.65) were all significantly shorter than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in the therapeutic course in the two groups. Conclusions Qinchai Kangdu mixture can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of infantile EBV infectious mononucleosis with TCM syndrome of flaring heat in Qifen and Yingfen. The mixture may also promote the enlarged liver and spleen to contract in size at early stage and peripheral blood abnormal lymphocyte ratio and other laboratory indexes return to normal in time.

The ecological balance of intestinal microbiota plays an important role in digestion,absorp-tion,metabolism,immunity and protection against pathogens.Intestinal microbiota can not only regulate the innate immunity of the body,but also can stimulate the immune response by the bacteria itself and its metabo-lites.The imbalance intestinal microbiota may lead to abnormal immune mechanism,and then participate in the occurrence and development of the tumor,especially colorectal cancer.

Benzene ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective:To observe the efficacy of acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians plus moving cupping on neck and shoulder for migraine. Methods:A total of 64 migraine cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. Random number table method was used in allocation. Acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians and cupping on neck and shoulder were used for cases in the observation group, which contain acupuncture 5 times a week and cupping once a week. Oral flunarizine hydrochloride capsules were used for cases in the control group, 10 mg for each dose, 1 dose a day. 2 weeks constitutes a course of treatment. The patients were treated for two courses of treatment in both groups. After that, the changes of visual analogue scale (VAS) and the migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) were observed, as well as the clinical efficacy. Results:The total effective rate and recovery and marked effective rate in the observation group were 93.8% and 71.0% respectively, versus 78.1% and 43.8% in the control group, showing statistical significant differences (both P<0.05). There were significant decreases in VAS and MIDAS scores after treatments in both groups (both P<0.05). VAS and MIDAS scores in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining acupuncture at points of Shaoyang meridians and cupping on neck and shoulder can relieve headache and reduce influence of migraine on life. It can produce a better efficacy than oral flunarizine hydrochloride capsules in treating migraine patients.

Objective To explore the T‐SPOT .TB technology in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who immunosuppres‐sive therapy results in screening for latent tuberculosis infection prevention and control to provide a new basis .Methods Applica‐tion of T‐SPOT .TB kit 162 immunosuppressed patients need to be applied to detect M .tuberculosis‐specific T cells ;while doing all cases tuberculin (TST ) skin test ;of which 28 cases of T‐SPOT .TB‐positive patients before screening technique using anti‐TNF‐αbiologics were given prophylactic treatment of anti‐TB drugs for 4 months and followed a year .Results The positive rates and ac‐curacy rate of T‐SPOT .TB assay were 36 .4% and 94 .9% ,while the positive rates and accuracy rate of TSTs were 28 .4% and 69 .6% .The difference between T‐SPOT .TB assay and TST were statistical significance(P < 0 .05) .Through our 28 cases of T‐SPOT .TB positive screening technology ,prophylactic anti‐TB drugs to treat patients for 4 months and 1 year of follow‐up ,no case of tuberculosis occurred .Conclusion These results demonstrate that the performance of T‐SPOT .TB is better than the classic TST for detection of LTBI in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for treatment of systemic autoimmune disorders .The T‐SPOT .TB assay will be a useful tool in early and rapid diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection .T‐SPOT .TB for LTBI patients di‐agnosed with prophylactic anti‐TB drug treatment is necessary ,has important clinical significance .

Objective To study the clinical, imageological and pathologic characters of primary synovial chondromatosis of hip joint, and effect of open surgery. Method 12 cases of primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip joints admitted from May 1973 to May 2004 were retrospectively studied in respect to clinical manifestations, X-ray picture, and pathological findings. The effects of operation were followed up. Results Intermittent pain, swelling, limitation of hip joints were the main complaints. Mass and myatrophy near involved hip joint were discernible in a few patients. Although there was no obvious image of calcification, swelling of articular capsule was seen in X-ray film in 4 patients. CT scan showed arthroedema, loose bodies and bone erosion of the femoral head in the hip joint. The X-ray films of the other 8 patients showed obvious calcified loose bodies. All cases were diagnosed by pathology after operations. 8 cases were categorized Milgram Ⅱstage, and 4 cases Milgram Ⅲ stage. Eight patients were followed-up for a period of 1 to 7 years (mean 5 years). Recurrence occurred in 2 cases. Conclusion The diagnosis should be based on clinical characters, X-ray films and pathologic findings, and the pathology is most reliable. In order to decrease recurrence, CT or MRI examinations should be taken before the operation. X-ray monitoring should be carried out during the operation of the patient in whom loose bodies were found in X-ray film before the operation.