Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Child ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; immunology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism

Objective To observe the clinical effect and security of carvedilol on children with endocardial fibroelastosis(EFE).Methods Eighteen children with EFE treatment with carvedilol.The improvement of clinical symptom,heart rate,heart function,side effect and maximal tolerance dose after treatment with carvedilol were observed.Results The clinical symptom was obviously improved;eiection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS),mean velocity of circumferential fiber(Mvcf)were significantly increased,left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVDS),left ventricular mass(LVmass),interventricular septal thickness(IVSs)were notably decreased after treatment with carvedilol.Conclusions The data indicates that carvedilol can significantly reduce left ventricular diastolic dimension(LVDD),IVSs,and LVmass,inhibit the remodeling of ventricle,significantly elevate the heart function of EFE.So carvedilol is benefit and security on children with EFE.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Zhibai Dihuang Pill (ZBDHP) on urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and sperm quality in ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection infertile patients.

METHODSRecruited were 80 infertility patients with Uu infection at Andriatrics Clinics and Department of Reproduction, including 130 cases of positive Uu semen and 50 cases of negative Uu semen. Patients with positive Uu semen were randomly assigned to the observation group (72 cases) and the control group (58 cases) according to the visit sequence. All patients took antibiotics for 2 weeks. Patients in the observation group additionally took ZBDHP, 6 g each time, twice daily. Those in the control group additionally took Vit E (100 mg each time, twice per day) and ATP (40 mg each time, twice per day). The therapeutic course for all was 90 days. Semen parameters and uPA contents of the sperm membrane were detected and comparatively analyzed.

RESULTSThe sperm membrane uPA content, the sperm motility, the sperm viability, and the percentage of normal morphology sperm in Uu positive infected patients were lower than those in Uu negative infected patients with statistical difference (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference in the sperm density between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in pre-treatment sperm membrane uPA contents and sperm parameters between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the sperm membrane uPA content, the sperm motility, the sperm viability, and the percentage of normal morphology sperm obviously increased in the two groups with statistical difference (P < 0.05). After treatment, the sperm membrane uPA content increased more obviously in the observation group, with statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInfection with Uu leads to decreased uPA content of sperm membrance and the sperm motility. ZBDHP could effectively treat Uu infected infertility possibly through fighting against Uu damaged sperm membrane and make the sperm membrane uPA content return to normal, and elevate the fertilizability of sperms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Communicable Diseases ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Ureaplasma Infections ; drug therapy ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; drug effects ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism

Exercise fatigue is a physiological phenomenon not only for athletes, but also for astronauts. It is vital for athletes with hard training and astronauts with the heavy exercises for the mission in manned space flight to know how to solve the exercise fatigue. This article reviewed current commonly used TCM protective measures against fatigue.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of hedgehog signaling pathway members (SMO,Gli1,ABCB1,ABCG2) in gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancer cells and to study the effect of hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor on acquired chemoresistance.Methods Human pancreatic gemcitabineresistant SW1990 cell line (SW1990/GZ) was established.Hedgehog inhibitor,cyclopamine,was used to treat resistant cells.Different expression levels of SMO,Gli1 and ABCB1,ABCG2 mRNA and proteins,and the percentage of CD44 + CD24 + and CD133 + cells were compared by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot before and after cyclopamine treatment,respectively.Were treated with 100 μmol/L of gemcitabine SW1990/GZ cells after cyclopamine treatment,and cell apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI method.Results The percentage of CD44+ CD24+ and CD133+ cells in SW1990/GZ cells were increased from (29.45 ±1.99)％,(59.37 ± 1.69)％ in parental cells to (93.16 ±2.46)％,(95.88 ± 1.47)％ (P ＜0.05),respectively.The mRNA expression levels of ABCB1,ABCG2,and Gli1 were increased (274.90 ±31.44),(3.48 ±0.33),(4.15 ±0.42) folds,compared with that of parental cells.The mRNA expression of SMO was also detected in resistant cells.The results of protein expression were consisted with that of mRNA expression.After treatment of 2 μmol/L cyclopamine for 1 week,the percentage of CD44 + CD24 + and CD133 +in SW1990/GZ cells decreased to (36.68 ±2.44)％ and (62.76 ± 1.28)％ (P ＜0.05),respectively.After treatment with 2,5μmol/L of cyclopamine,SW1990/GZ cells were re-exposed to 100 μ mol/L of gemcitabine,and then the cell apoptosis and death rates were (53.68 ± 5.24 )％ and (69.99 ± 3.16 )％,which were significantly higher than those in control group ( 4.55 ± 0.87 ) ％ ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions G emcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells are enriched with cancer stem cells and highly express hedgehog member SMO and Glil.Inhibition of hedgehog signaling pathway by cyclopamine can reduce the proportion of cancer stem cell in gemcitabine-resistant cells,down-regulate SMO and Glil expression levels,partly restore the sensitivity to gemcitabine and reverts the acquired drug resistance.

Objective To evaluate the functional changes in the isometric,concentric and eccentric muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors in patients with knee osteoarthritis,and to explore the relationship among these contractions.Methods A Biodex System-3 isokinetic test system was used to assess the isometric,concentric and eccentric strength of the knee extensors and flexors of the involved and uninvolved limbs of 54 patients suffering from osteoarthritis.Results The strength of the knee extensors and flexors of the involved limbs was significantly less than that of the uninvolved legs in the different contraction modes(P＜0.05).The difference was especially marked in concentric and eccentric contraction at low angular velocity.The hamstrings/quadriceps ratio and the dy- namic control ratio showed abnormalities in the muscle balance of the hamstrings and quadriceps.Conclusion Iso- kinetic testing should be applied and the hamstrings/quadriceps ratio and the dynamic control ratio should be analyzed in evaluating patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To determine the extent and distribution of error in knee joint proprioception and e- valuate the relationship between knee joint proprioception and pain and dysfunction.Methods Twenty-eight knee OA patients (19 female and 9 male) were compared with 27 age-matched healthy adults (20 female and 7 male). Knee joint proprioception was measured with a repositioning test on the Biodex dynamometer.The pain and knee dys- function were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale and Lequesne Index,respectively.Results Knee OA patients produced 79% more proprioception errors than the healthy subjects (P

Objective To described the prevalence of school physical violence behaviors and to explore its associated factors among middle school students in Beijing. Methods In 2009, a randomly selected cross- sectional survey was conducted among 5718 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. A self-report anonymous questionnaire involving physical violence at school and sociodemographic variables, such as sex, grades, family economic status and family structure, peer relationships, and communication with their parents etc. were completed by students themselves.Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between physical violence and sociodemographic variables. Results Among the students, 14.3% reported that they had had physical violence behavior in school during the past 12 months. Male students had been more likely to have physical violence behaviors than female students (Male 25.2%, Female 5.1% ). For both male and female students, poor school cohesion were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors (Male OR=1.060, Female OR=1.065). For male students, factors as father' s lower education level (OR=1.653 ), remarried/single-parent families ( OR = 1.834 ), low-grade ( grade 7 OR = 5.291; grade 11 OR =1.526) , poor school performance (OR=1.470) etc were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors; while better-off family economic status (OR=0.546), good peer relationships (OR=0.618) , and easy to communicate with the father (OR=0.756) were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. For female students, easy to communicate with her mother (OR = 0.358)were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. Conclusion For male and female students, the prevalence of school physical violence and its related factors were different. Actions on prevention against physical violence behaviors should be fully considered, including factors as gender, personal characteristics, family, school and peers etc.

Objectives:The widespread usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the government's emphasis on TCM in China have created a positive macro-environment and great opportunities to develop and strengthen health technology assessment (HTA) in TCM.Over the past ten years,a series of policies have been issued by the government to promote the application of HTA and the development of TCM in China.This study reviews the concepts and characteristics of TCM,summarizes the current status of HTA in TCM,and analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by HTA development in TCM with respect to deepening of healthcare reforms.Methods:Literature review and website searches were used to acquire information regarding the basic theories of TCM and the current status,opportunities,and challenges for HTA in TCM.Results:The number of articles on HTA in TCM rose substantially,especially those published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).With the optimistic policy environment and huge market demand for TCM,the development of HTA in TCM is expected to flourish in China.However,HTA in TCM also faces numerous challenges such as the absence of a clinical efficacy evaluation system for TCM and insufficient basic research evidence and qualified personnel.Conclusions:TCM has unique characteristic that distinguishes it from Western medicine.Currently,it is important to take all measures to address the existing main challenges and thereby take advantage of the present opportunities to develop and improve HTA in TCM.

OBJECTIVEThe anterior cervical autograft or allograft interbody fusion had become an accepted fusion technique for treating patients with degenerative disorders of the cervical spine. In this retrospective review, a comparison of allograft and autograft of bone was presented.

METHODSA retrospective review of 103 patients who had undergone allograft fusion and 145 patients with autograft fusion between 1997 and 2003, was conducted. Demographics, early complications and length of stay of patient were compared.

RESULTSLonger time on operation with the use of autograft (P < 0.001) and significant increase in length of stay were observed after autograft (P < 0.001). Complication of infections in autograft group was higher than allograft (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth autograft and allograft were effective during fusion procedures. Allograft did not appear to be a high risk factor and could decrease medical cost thus could be used clinically for anterior cervical fusion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome