China ; Health Facilities ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Occupational Health Services ; manpower

Objective To reinvestigate the value of overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Methods Fifty-two patients with Cushing syndrome and 153 patients with simple obesity or essential hypertension in whom Cushing syndrome was excluded were studied retrospectively in order to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different serum cortisol cut-off levels in overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Results The sensitivity of 50% of basal serum cortisol level at 8:00 and of the serum cortisol cut-off levels of 275,200,138,50 nmoL/L at 8:00 after the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test was 92.3%,92.3%,92.3%,92.3% and 100.0% respectively, and the specificity was 90.8%,98.7%,96.1%,91.5% and 78.4%,respectively.Conclusion The serum cortisol cut-off level of 50 nmol/L in the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test has very high sensitivity and can be used as a screening test for Cushing syndrome.

Objective To study the inhibitory effect of the Chinese medicine on S180 tumor-bearing mice and the effect on the immune function of the mice by respiratory drug administration. Methods The S180 cells were inoculated into the abdominal cavity of Kunming mice. After the ascites was formed, the left anterior limb of mice was inoculated with ascites to establish the subcutaneous transplantation tumor model. Drug was administrated when the tumor volume reached 0.06cm3. The experimental grouping and intervention measures are as follows (n=6): mice in control group received no intervention, and fed normally. Mice in experiment group were treated with respiratory tract inhalation of Chinese medicine gas, daily administration 6h, once a day, continuous administration of 21 days. Mice in adriamycin (ADM) group were intraperitoneally injected 1mg/kg of ADM, once a week, a total of 3 times. General signs of the mice including activity and eating status were observed daily. The body weight of mice was measured every other day. Blood samples were taken 2 days after stopping drug inhalation by inner canthus vein bleeding for detection of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio by flow cytometry. The subcutaneous nodule was dissected and weighed, and some tumor tissues were pathologically observed. Part of tumor tissues was prepared into single cell suspension to detect the cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. Results The CD3+, CD4+ T lymphocytes ratio and the ratio CD4+/CD8+ were significantly higher in experiment group than in control group (P<0.05). The weight of subcutaneous transplantation tumor was significantly lower in experiment group and ADM group than in control group (P<0.01), but no significant difference existed between experiment group and ADM group (P>0.05). The apoptotic rate increased significantly in experiment group than in control group (P<0.05). Histopathological observation showed that, in control group, the transplanted tumor tissue had rich cells arranged closely with necrosis limited; while in the experiment group the necrosis of tumor tissue distributed widely without obvious regional, the fibrous tissue proliferated, the tumor cells scattered in the arrangement with peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration. More necrotic tissues were also observed in ADM group. Conclusion Respiratory tract inhalation of Chinese medicine may inhibit the growth of S180 subcutaneous transplanted tumor in mice to a certain extent.

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effect of Zhiyang Pingfu Liquid (ZPL) in treating epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) associated adverse reactions of the skin.

METHODSAll 54 patients with pathologically confirmed malignant tumor had EGFRIs induced adverse reactions of the skin to various degrees. ZPL was externally applied for them all, once or twice per day, 14 days consisting of one therapeutic course. Changes of adverse skin reactions, time for symptoms relief, adverse skin reaction types suitable for ZPL were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSEGFRIs associated skin adverse reactions were improved to various degrees after they used ZPL. The shortest symptoms relief time was 1 day while the longest was 12 days, with an average of 6.93 days and the median time 7 days. Compared with before treatment, itching, rash/scaling, acne/acneform eruptions were obviously improved (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZPL could alleviate EGFRls associated adverse skin reactions, especially showed better effect on itching, rash/scaling, acne/acneform eruptions.

Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Biomedical Research ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Pruritus ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Skin ; drug effects ; Skin Diseases ; drug therapy

To study the protective effect of Danshen Tongluo capsule on rat hearts in the myocardial infarction (MI) model. After being fed with high fat diets for one month, the SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group and the model group according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). The MI model group was duplicated by ligating coronary artery and then divided into five groups: the model group, the positive control group (model + captopril), the small dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo), the medium dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo) and the high dose group (model + Danshen Tongluo). Four weeks later, changes in myocardium ultra-structure were observed by hemodynamics, cardiac ultrasound and electron microscope. The results showed: (1) All doses of Danshen Tongluo capsule could significantly reduce the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P <0.01), increase the maximum internal pressure of the left ventricle (+ dp/dtmax), and lower the drop rate of left ventricular pressure (- dp/dtmax), with statistical significances in medium and high dose groups; (2) The B ultrasound results showed increase in EF and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) in all dose groups of Danshen Tongluo capsule; (3) The medium dose group showed significant decrease in myocardial infarction index (P <0.01) and injured and fractured myofilament and sarcomere of ischemic myocardium in myocardial ultra-structure; All of Danshen Tongluo capsule-treated groups revealed reduction in myocardial injury and myocardial infraction area. The study preliminarily proves that Danshen Tongluo capsule can improve hemodynamic function, and has a protective effect on myocardial ischemia.
Animals ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects

Objective To develop and evaluate a porcine model for training the single needle running suture method of laparoscopie urethrovesical anastomosis(LUA). Methods Twenty minipigs with mean weight of 30kg were general anaesthetized with Sumianxin solution 0. 1 ml/kg intramuscularly. Pneumoperitoneum was created by insufflation of carbon dioxide by a veress needle inserted through the umbilicus. One 10mm port and two 5mm ports were positioned after the establishment of pneumoperitoneum. The intestine was used as "bladder". The procedures were completed with the single needle running suture method of laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis. Six trainees performed the LUA procedure based on the models during a laparoscopic training course, following the technique used in the operation room. The learning curve was analyzed by operative time. Results The porcine model for laparoscopic training was established successfully and 3 LUAs could be performed on each pig. Each trainee performed 10 LUAs based on the models during the training course of laparoscopic urology. The operative time declined from (55.3±10. 4)min initially to (22.4±4.8)min (P＜0. 01) after the training course. At the end of training, all trainees could accomplish a watertight LUR procedure on the model. Conclusions The establishment of the training model is feasible. The trainees could acquire the skills necessary to perform LUA in vivo based on this model. The model provides a platform for training the basic techniques of LUA procedures.

OBJECTIVETo study the differences between epidemic strains of influenza virus subtype A3 circulated in China and Occident in past 18 years, in genetic level, and vaccine strains recommended by WHO in corresponding time.

METHODSAmino acid sequences of HA1 regions of the epidemic strains, which circulated in China and Occident from 1988 to 2005, and the vaccine strains of influenza virus subtype A3 were compared by BioEdit and analyzed on the differences of HA1 and it's antigen determinants

RESULTSDifferences between epidemic strains and vaccine strains recommended in corresponding year, both in HA1 and it' s antigen determinant regions, were obviously greater than that between epidemic strains and vaccine strains recommended in next round (P< 0.01). However, differences between epidemic strains in Occident and vaccine strains recommended in corresponding year were slightly greater than that between epidemic strains and vaccine strains recommended in next round and it was not marked (P >0.05). In addition, differences between epidemic strains and vaccine strains which being used for several years, whether in China or in Occident, constantly increased accompanying the used time prolonged.

CONCLUSIONThere was an obvious lag between vaccine strains recommended by WHO, analyzed in genetic level, and epidemic strains of influenza virus subtype A3 circulated in China.

Antigens, Viral ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; analysis ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; classification ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of Th17/Treg imbalance in the development and treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children.

METHODSThirty-two children diagnosed with ITP between May and August, 2015 and 22 healthy children were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to determine the Th17/Treg ratio in peripheral blood of healthy children and children with ITP before and after treatment with immunoglobulin.

RESULTSCompared with the patients with ITP before treatment, the healthy children and the patients treated with immunoglobulin had a significantly lower percentage of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells, a significantly lower Th17/Treg ratio, and a significantly higher percentage of Treg cells in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood (P<0.05). In the 32 ITP children treated with immunoglobulin, 20 had complete response, 4 had response, and 8 had no response. The patients with complete response had a significantly lower percentage of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells and a significantly lower Th17/Treg ratio in peripheral blood than the patients without response (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe Th17/Treg imbalance can be found in children with ITP. Immunoglobulin can improve the cellular immune function by regulation of the Th17/Treg ratio. The Th17/Treg ratio may serve as an indicator for assessing the therapeutic effects of ITP.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

AIMTo explore the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on vascular calcification and the underlying mechanism of it.

METHODSArterial calcification of Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine. Hyperhomocysteinemia was established by feeding high methionine diet for six weeks and was assessed b y plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level detected by HPLC method. Calcification was confirmed by von Kossa staining, measurement of calcium content, alkaline phosphatases (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OC) concentration of vascular tissue. Lipid conjugated dienes formation were determined to reflecting the production of lipid peroxide.

RESULTSThe results showed that there were mass black granules deposited in aortic wall of the calcified rats by von Kossa staining. Calcium content, ALP activity, OC concentration in calcified rats increased by 8.09-fold, 45.57% and 2.81-fold compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). Calcium content in calcified rats with high methionine diet increased by 34.29% compared with that of the calcified rats, while ALP activity and OC content decreased by 29.13% and 74.69% compared with that of the calcified rats. Lipid conjugated dienes formation in plasma of the rat with high methionine diet and of calcified rats with high methionine diet increased by 1.93 and 2.89-fold compared with those of the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), and in calcified rats with high methionine diet group was increased by 32.90% compared with that of high methionine diet group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHyperhomocysteinemia could promote vascular calcification, which might be mediated through the production of lipid peroxide.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Methionine ; administration & dosage ; Osteocalcin ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Calcification ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)/open prostatectomy (OP) in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe searched Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang and CBM for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing HoLEP with TURP/OP. Comparable data were extracted from eligible studies and pooled for meta-analysis using RevMan5.1.

RESULTSNine RCTs were included in this study, 6 comparing HoLEP with TURP, and the other 3 comparing HoLEP with OP. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with TURP, HoLEP was associated with shorter hospital stay and catheterization time, less hemoglobin loss, longer operative time, and better improvement in international prostate symptom score (IPSS) , peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) and post void residual (PVR) , but the incidences of postoperative urethral stricture and urinary incontinence had no statistically significant difference between the two. Compared with OP, HoLEP showed shorter hospital stay and catheterization time, a lower rate of blood transfusion, longer operative time, and removal of fewer tissues, but the two procedures exhibited no significant differences in either the improvement of IPSS and Qmax or the incidence of urethral stricture.

CONCLUSIONHoLEP is a minimally invasive technique, safe and highly effective for the treatment of BOO secondary to BPH, with its advantages of lower peri-operative morbidity and faster recovery over TURP and OP. However, more high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups need to be carried out to obtain better evidence.

Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods