OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Quyu Jiedu Granule, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for removing blood stasis and expelling superficial evils, on the quality of oocytes and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs in ovarian granulosa cells of endometriosis (EM) rats. METHODS: Forty EM rats were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group and control group. There were 20 EM rats in each group. The uteri of another 20 SD rats were drawn in sham-operated group. The number and percentage of high quality oocytes and the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expressions in the granulosa cells of EM rats were detected by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The number and percentage of high quality oocytes in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNAs in granulose cells in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The increase of the TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expressions in ovarian granulose cells of EM rats leads to the decrease of the oocyte quality. The mechanism of Quyu Jiedu Granule in improving the quality of oocytes may be related to the decrease of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expressions in ovarian granulosa cells.

Objective To compare radiation dose and image quality between prospective and retrospective ECG gating CT coronary angiography (CTCA) with 64-slice CT scanner. Methods Sixty patients with suspected coronary artery disease were selected, and randomly devided into two groups. Thirty patients in research group (average body-mass index [BMI]:[25.30±3.15] kg/m~2, heart rate ≤65 beats per minute [bpm]) underwent CTCA using prospective ECG-gating (120 kV, mA tailored to weight), while the rest 30 patients in control group (average BMI:[25.40±3.00] kg/m~2, heart rate ≤65 bpm) underwent CTCA using retrospective ECG-gating (120 kV, 650 mA). The average effective dose (ED) and standardizing radiation dose (ED_(Sd)) which was standardized by 12 cm length were respectively calculated, and statistical analysis was then conducted, meanwhile image quality was evaluated. Results The average ED of research group and control group was (5.97±1.04) mSv and (26.25±2.36) mSv, respectively (t_(A,B)=43.13, P<0.05). The ED_(Sd) of two groups was (5.49±0.45) mSv and (23.77±1.64) mSv (t_(Sd)=59.00, P<0.05). ED_(Sd) decreased by 76.62% in research group compared with that of control group. No significant difference of image quality was found between two groups (χ~2=4.26, P=0.235). Conclusion Prospective ECG-gating CTCA can effectively reduce radiation dose without compromising image quality.

Objective To assess the carotid elasticity using wave intensity(WI) in subjects with different plasma glucose level.Methods 107 subjects were enrolled in this study,according to their plasma glucose levels,subjects were categorized as normal plasma glucose group (group A),normal plasma glucose in higher level group (group B) and pre-diabetes group (group C).Carotid WI examination was performed and analyzed.The parameters included magnitude of the peak during late systole (W2),negative area during the mid-ejection (NA),and stiffness parameter (β),pressure strain elasticity modulus (Ep),arterial compliance(AC),augmentation index(AI),one point pulse wave velocity(PWVβ).Results Compared to group A,W2,β,Ep,PWVβ increased significantly while AC decreased in group C(P ＜0.05),but there was no obvious difference of NA between two groups.Furthermore,this statistically difference was not found in group B(P ＞0.05).Conclusions Carotid elasticity have been altered in pre-diabetes group which can be evaluated by WI,but no marked change is observed in normal plasma glucose of higher level group.

The recent investigations have demonstrated that epigenetic such as DNA methylation and histone modification was closely associated with cell growth and malignant tumors, and epigenetic modification was responsible for an important cause of oncogenesis. However, for the recent years some observations have been also shown that the development of tumorigenesis was attributed to transformation expression in microRNA. The latest investigations have revealed that epigenetic was involved in modulation of microRNA expression, on the contrary some kinds of microRNAs could also control epigenetic, moreover, the reciprocal modulation between microRNA and epigenetic could regulate gene expression and induce tumorigenesis. At the same time the data likewise displayed that epigenetic adjusted microRNA expression principally in a way of DNA methylation or histone modification, nevertheless microRNA regulated epigenetic by way of methyltransferases expression, DNA methylation maintenance and histone modification. With regard to the reciprocal modulation between microRNA and epigenetic, a comprehensive and systemic review of reciprocal relationship in modulation of cell growth and oncogenesis was gived.

Objective To evaluate and improve the geometrical accuracy of the magnetic resonance imaging used for gamma knife radiosurgery localization. Methods Four common MRI scan programs were used in this study. The images were transferred to the Gamma Plan treatment planning system.Deviations between stereotactic coordinates based on MR images and real geometrical positions given by the construction of the phantom insert were evaluated for each study.The deviations were further investigated as a function of the spatial position of measured points in the investigated volume.Results The geometrical coordinate errors for axial and coronal images of the selected scan programs were all less than 1 mm.Optimal imaging procedure in terms of geometrical accuracy was observed using spin echo T1 and 3D FSPGR MRI sequences in the unit.Statistically significant differences were found in axial images amongSE T1,FSE T2,FRFSE Pd,FSPGR 3D sequences (F=1497.51,1873.63,2.87,3.00,P ＜0.05).The error increased along with the increase of the distance between node point and centricity.Conclusions The geometrical coordinate errors is related with the imaging program in M(il)l. Proper imaging programs and parameters should be selected according to the imageology character of patients' lesions when the radiosurgery is performed.

Objective To analyse the clinical effects on colon cancer with acute intestinal obstruction.Methods 56 patients with acute intestinal obstruction caused by colon cancer were studied retrospectively.The experience of diagnosis was summarized.Results 47 patients with acute intestinal obstruction caused by colon cancer received Stage Ⅰ tumor resection and the other 9 patients received different stages.54 patients healed (96.4％) and 1perioperative deaths (1.8 ％).Postoperative complications occurred in 18 cases (32.1％) including incision infection,intraperitoneal infection and intestinal fistula.Conclusion Stage Ⅰ tumor resection is feasible and safe surgical procedures for acute intestinal obstruction caused by colon cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore the video-urodynamic characteristics of neurogenic bladder caused by suprapontine neuropathy.Methods65 patients with neurogenic bladder caused by suprapontine neuropathy were involved from February 2004 to May 2009. The data were analyzed retrospectively, including clinical manifestation, diagnosis, voiding management, ultrasound, uroflow, post void residual, filling cystometry, pressure-flow study and the radiology. The results were compared with those of the suprasacral spinal cord injury.ResultsNo significant difference was found in the urodynamic parameters between various kinds of suprapontine neuropathy. Compared with suprasacral spinal cord injury, suprapontine neuropathy had less detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, less reflux and upper urinary tract dilation but more normal micturiton reflex.ConclusionThe main video-urodynamic characteristic of neurogenic bladder caused by suprapontine neuropathy is detrusor overactivity, and the detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, reflux and upper urinary tract dilation are rare.

Objective To explore the technique, efficacy and complications of transurethral sphincterotomy with Holmium laser for the treatment of male patients with neurogenic bladder and examine its long-term outcome. Methods 20 male cases who received transurethral sphincterotomy with Holmium laser were included in this retrospective analysis, in which 7 cases injuried at cervical spinal cord, 6 at thoracic spinal cord, 3 at cauda equine; 1 was spinal meningocele, 1 was sacral crack, 1 was ependymoma, and 1 was myelitis sequel. The age was 20~64 years, averaged 45.1 years. They were followed up for 3~95 months (averaged 43.6 months) since the last sphincterotomy. Results The 20 patients significantly improved in symptoms, laboratory examination, imaging demonstration and urodynamic index after the operation.There were 3 patients who required repeated laser surgery during the follow- up. 17 patients were stable. Conclusion Transurethral sphincterotomy with Holmium laser is effective on neurogenic bladder with less bleeding for the appropriately selected patients.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection into detrusor to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods A total of 78 patients with SCI were treated with transurethral injection of BTX-A (300 IU dissolved in 15 ml of saline) into 30 different points of detrusor with 15 ml in every patients. Urodynamic parameters and voiding diary were assessed at baseline and 3 weeks and 3 months after the injections. Adverse events were recorded after the injection if present.Results After the first injection, 78 patients showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 13.5 to 2.7 times per day, the mean volume of intermittent catheterization (IC) increased from 131 ml to 389 ml per time, the mean volume of incontinence decreased from 1 690 ml to 281 ml per day, the mean getting effect time was 7.6 days. 10 patients received second injection at 8.9 months after first injection, the results showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 9.7 to 3.7 times per day, the mean IC volume increased from 108 ml to 387 ml. 6 patients received third injection at 5.8 months after second injection, the results showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 9.2 to 3.9 times per day, the mean IC volume increased from 116 ml to 364 ml. No side effects were observed during the follow-up.Conclusion BTX-A injection into detrusor to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with SCI seems to be an effective, safe and miniinvasive solution.

Objective To determine the effects of pudendal ncrve stimulation with different frequency(5 Hz,20 Hz) on bladder dysfunction dogs after spinal cord injury.Methods The study was done in 4 dogs which chronic spinal cord transection at T9-T10 level.All the dogs underwent electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve (5 Hz,20 Hz).Then,bladder capacity,compliance,non-voiding contraction number (NVC) and voiding efficiency before and during stimulation were compared.Results The bladder capacity and the compliance was increased ( 58.9 ± 17.4) ％ and (53.1 ± 4.9 ) ％ ( P ＜ 0.05 ) by pudendal nerve stimulation with low frequency (5 Hz).Detrusor overactivity can be inhibited and the NVC decreased from 1.7 ± 1.3 to 0.9 ± 1.1.Pudendal nerve stimulation with medium frequency ( 20 Hz) can induce bladder contraction and increased voiding efficiency from (5.8 ± 1.0) ％ to ( 16.3 ± 2.6 ) ％ ( P ＜0.05).Conclusions Pudendal nerve stimulation with low frequency can inhibit detrusor overactivity and increase the bladder capacity and compliance in spinal cord injury dogs.Pudendal nerve stimulation with medium frequency can induce bladder contraction and increased voiding efficicncy.