Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common clinical disease that seriously threatens human health and life. Accurate location of the upper airway obstruction is the key to the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS. Acoustic pharyngometry uses sound reflection to quickly assess the cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway. Acoustic pharyngometry represents a simple, quick, non-invasive method for measuring upper airway dimensions which could predict sleep apnea risk. In this article we sought to introduce the application of acoustic pharyngometry in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Larynx ; Pharynx ; diagnostic imaging ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the evaluation significance of plasma D-dimer level for the prognosis in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) excluding pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods The patients with AECOPD were collected from the respiration department and emergency internal medicine department of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University during 2007-2011.Thirty-five AECOPD cases of D-dimer positive and excluding PE and lower extremity deep venous thrombus(DVT)by CT angiography served as the experimental group and 35 cases of D-dimer negative as the control group.The differences in the first time hospitalization duration,GOLD grade,mortality rate,re-hospitalization times within 4 years,times of admission to ICU,times of intracheal intubation,rehospitalization and outside-hospital mortality rate were compared between the two groups.The receiver operatingcharacteristic(ROC)curve was applied to evaluate the short-term and long-term prognostic capacity of D-dimer.The t test at the follow up end point was used to analyze the D-dimer level in the death group and the survival group.Results The D-dimer level,length of hospital stay,death number of first time hospitalization,times of re-hospitalization,times of admission to ICU,times of intubation,re-hospitalization and outside-hospitalization mortality rate and total mortality rate had statistical differences between the experimental group and the control group(P＜0.05);but the differences in the age,gender and GOLD grade between the two groups had no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The sensitivity of D-dimer＞1 165 μg/L for predicting the death number of the first time hospitalization was 87.5 ％,and the specificity was 80.6 ％.The sensitivity of D-dimer＞ 865μg/L for predicting the mortality rate of re-hospitalization and outerside-hospital was 78.9 ％,and the specificity was 74.5 ％.The survival curve graph during the follow up period in the two groups revealed that the survival time and survival rate had statistical difference between the two groups.The D-dimer level in the death group was significantly higher than that in the survival group with statistical difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion The D-dimer level is an independent risk factor affecting the short-term and longterm prognosis of AECOPD.

BackgroundPterygium is an ocular surface disease of abnormal cell proliferative kind and angiogenesis plays an important role in its development and recurrence.Several anti-angiogenic therapies have been used to treat pterygium,but there very few studtes for the in vivo observation of the microvessles in pterygium.ObjectiveThis study was to observe angiogenesis in pterygium with a high-resolution confocal microscope in vivo and to perform immunohistochemical study in vitro.MethodsA prospective case-controlled study was designed.Twenty eyes of 20 consecutive patients with primary pterygia and 20 age- and sex-matched patients with inner eye diseases and strabismus with normal conjunctiva were enrolled in this study.An in vivo confocal microscopy imaging system (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph Ⅱ Rostock Cornea Module) was used to collect microvascular pictures from the anterior part of pterygia and normal nasal conjunctiva of controls,and then immunochemistry was performed to examine the expression of CD31 in microvessel in vitro.The vascular density values were compared between these two groups.The correlation of vascular density values between in vivo Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and in vitro immunohistochemistry was calculated.Written informed consent was obtained from pationts before any examination and surgery.ResultsUnder the in vivo confocal microscope,the microvessel density was (8929±2993) μm/mm2 and (4202 ±692)μm/mm2,respectively,in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group with a statistically significant difference between them (t =6.881,P＜0.01 ).Immunochemistry revealed that the expression of CD31 to measure vascular density was ( 21.00 ± 4.06/400 × field ) and ( 6.07 ± 1.75/400 × field ) in pterygium and the normal conjunctiva group,showing significant difference (t =12.312,P＜0.01 ).Positive correlations were found in the vascular density values between in vivo corneal laser confocal microscopy examination and in vitro immunochemistry examination in both the pterygium group and normal conjunctiva group (pterygium group:r=0.649,P＜0.01 ;normal conjunctiva group: r=0.572,P＜0.01 ) ConclusionsIn vivo confocal microscopy imaging is superior to in vitro immunochemistry in evaluating the microvessel of pterygium.The results of this study offer a new way index for further investigation of the biological behavior of pterygium and its mechanism.

Objective To study the relationship of clinical manifestation and pathological changes and prognosis in Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN)in children.Methods Clinical and pathological characteristics of 42 children with HSPN were analysed.Among them,40 children were detected of angiotensin-convertion enzyme(ACE)gene and had been followed up.Results Among them,there were 9 cases of level Ⅰof pathological types,21 cases of level Ⅱ,12 cases of level Ⅲ,but no cases of level Ⅳ.Ⅰand Ⅱ level were found in those cases of clinical manifestation with solitary hematuria and albuminuria.Pathological grades were Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ levels in the cases of hematuria and albuminuria.Pathological types of nephrotic syndrome(NS)were Ⅱ and Ⅲ level,which were of more gross hematuria than those of other grades.ACE gene DD had serious pathological damnification.Conclusions Change of pathology cannot only be anticipated by clinical manifestation of HSPN.But if pathological damnification gets more serious,the albuminuria gets more serious.Gross hematuria and albuminuria can serve as indicators of biopsy.NS of ACE DD type have serious pathological damnification.Children with HSPN has favourable prognosis in the future.

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

In order to identify the chemical constituents of Yushu tablets comprehensively, we studied the chemical constituents of CHCl3 extract from Yushu tablets by the ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS). It showed that there were more than 100 compounds separated, and forty-nine peaks among these were identified on the basis of high resolution mass spectrometry data and literature data reported. Determination of twelve peaks was further confirmed by standard substances. These components assigned to the different plant sources mainly included phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, quinones and m-trihydroxybenzene compounds. By analyzing the chemical components of CHCl3 extract from compound Chinese medicine Yushu tablets comprehensively, this study provided the foundation for studying chemical components, pharmacodynamic substance and quality control of Yushu tablets.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tablets ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo establish the steriod-induced osteoporosis model with the type of Kidney-Yin deficiency.

METHODSTotally 45 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group and Liuwei Dihuang pills(Chinese character: see text)group. The model was established by intramuscular injecting of Dexamethasone. Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group was administered orally with Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text). The signs and symptoms of mice were observed dynamically. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the 6th weeks. The level of ACTH, cAMP, cGMP, TSH and E2 in serum were detected to evaluate deficiency of Kidney-Yin. Morphological changes and bone density were observed to evaluate osteoporosis.

RESULTS(1) Compared with control group, mice in model group appeared obvious Kidney-Yin deficiency symptoms, including hair dry, restlessness, excitability, hard stool, and yellow. (2) Compared with control group,the weight of mice in model group gained slower (P<0.01); the index of adrenal gland,liver and spleen decreased (P<0.01, P<0.01 ,P<0.01); the level of ACTH and TSH increased (P<0.01 ,P<0.01), the level of E2 decreased (P<0.01) and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP increased (P< 0.05). (3)Compared with control group,the bone density of lumbar vertebra and femur in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); HE staining revealed osteoporosis in model group mice. (4)However, the Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group can partly antagonize the inhibition of the HPA axis, alter the disordered sex hormone and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP, and reverse the osteoporosis partly.

CONCLUSIONthe model of osteoporosis with type of Kidney-Yin deficiency could be established by Dexamethasone intramuscular injection. With less interference, it wight be a stable and reliable modeling method for integration of disease and syndrome in TCM.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Dexamethasone ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; Yin Deficiency ; complications

Objecfive To investigate the association between the exon 2,3,4 of MHC class Ⅰ chain-related gene-B(MICB)and ulcerative colitis(UC)in Chinese Han.Methods Using polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism,allele frequency of MICB exon 2,3 and 4 in 105 patients with UC and 213 age and sex matched healthy controls were genotyped.All of the studied individuals were Chinese Han.Results Allele frequency of MICB 0106 was increased in patients with UC as compared with normal controls(19.0%vs 8.9%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=2.402,95%CI:1.488-3.879).The frequency of MICB 0106 was increased significantly in patients with extensive colitis (24.4%vs 8.9%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=3.294,95%CI:1.800-6.027),moderate and severe disease(24.1%vs 8.9%,P=0.000.Pc＜0.001,OR=3.294 95%CI:1.893-5.576)and in those with extra intestinal manifestations(20.5%vs 8.9%,P=0.002,Pc=0.012,OR=2.626,95%CI:1.418-4.861).Furthermore,MICB 0106 allele was higher in frequency in the male patients with UC (22.1%vs 8.0%,P=0.001,Pc=0.006,OR=3.276,95%CI:1.737-6.178)and the patients more than 40 years old(28.8%vs 8.3%,P=0.000,Pc＜0.001,OR=4.500,95%CI:2.381-8.504)as compared with healthy controls.Conclusion MICB 0106 allele is positively associated with UC,especially with extensive colitis,moderate and severe disease,presence of extra intestinal manifestations,male gender and age of more than 40 years in Chinese Han in Hubei province.

Objective To identify the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gargle in patients who had oral mucositis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods A total of 134 patients were enrolled in this study from 2014 to 2015. They were randomly divided into two groups:the experimental group (n=65) and the control group (n=69). Both groups received preventive measures for oral mucositis. But once oral mucositis occurred, the control group continued with the routine nursing measure, while the experimental group added GM-CSF gargle based on previous routine nursing measure. The effective rate and healing time were compared between two groups. Results The effective rate of the experimental group (81.54%, 53/65) was significantly higher than that of the control group (24.64%,17/69) (χ2=43.434, P=0.000). The median healing time in the experimental group was 4.5 days, shorter than 9.0 days in the control group (Z=-5.379, P< 0.01). Conclusions GM-CSF gargle can control the oral mucositis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background Retinal neovascularization is pathological basis of a variety of fundus diseases,but its pathogenesis is unclear.Studies showed that the expression level of radixin in retina is remarkably increased in retinal neovascularization-related diseases.It is presumed that silencing or down-regulating the abnormal expression of radixin is helpful for curing retinal neovascularization-related diseases.Objective This study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of radixin short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid on expression of radixin gene in retina of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.Methods Sixty-four 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid group by random number table.There were 16 mice in every group.OIR models were established by exposing the mice in an environment of (75±2) ％ oxygen for 5 days and then returned to the normal air in the model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid group,while the mice of the normal control group were fed in the normal air environment.Radixin shRNA plasmid or control shRNA plasmid at the dose of 1 μg was intravitreally injected in 12-day-old mice of the radixin shRNA plasmid group or shRNA plasmid group, respectively.Five days later, FD-2000S angiography was performed on the mice of each group and then retinal flatmounts were prepared for the observation of retinal vessels.The mice from various groups were sacrificed and retinal sections were prepared.The vascular endothelial nucleus and new blood vessels extending inner limiting membrane (ILM) were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining;the expression of radixin in the retinas was detected using immunochemistry;the relative expression levels of radixin mRNA and protein were quantitative assayed by real-time quantitative RCR and Western blot, respectively.The use and care of the animals adhered to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research.Results The distribution of retinal vessels was normal in the normal control group.Non-perfusion zone at the posterior pole of retina, circuity of blood vessels,leakage of vessel wall and new blood vessels were found in the mice of the model control group.Non-perfusion zone and microaneurysms were also exhibited in the shRNA plasmid group.However,these findings were slight in the radixin shRNA plasmid group.The surface of ILM was in discontinuity in the model mice and shRNA-injected mice with more vascular endothelial cell nucleus and more tubes extending ILM than that in the radixin shRNA plasmid group.The immunochemistry results showed that the expressions of radixin in the normal control group and radixin shRNA plasmid group were weaker than those in the model control group and control shRNA plasmid group.The relative expression levels of radixin mRNA were 1.002±0.043,2.236-±0.093,0.556±0.015 and 2.272±0.096 in the normal control group, model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and control shRNA plasmid group,and those in the radixin shRNA plasmid group were significantly reduced in comparison with the normal control group, model control group and the shRNA plasmid group (all at P＜0.01).The relative expression levels were 1.000±0.082,1.193±0.021,0.263± 0.016 and 1.235±0.005 in the normal control group,model control group,radixin shRNA plasmid group and shRNA plasmid,with the lowest expression level in the radixin shRNA plasmid group (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions Radixin shRNA can downregulate the expression of radixin gene in the retinas of OIR mice and further inhibit pathological retinal neovascularization.