Objective To investigate the correlation between vertebral artery tortuosity and posterior circulation ischemia (PCI). Methods The patients with PCI aged ≥50 years old and the controls without PCI at the same time were enrolled. CT angiography was performed in all patients. The cervical vertebral artery tortuosity was observed and rated, and the related risk factors for influencing PCI were analyzed. Results A total of 112 patients with PCI and 90 controls were enrolled. Univariate analysis showed that the proportions of patients with hypertension (80. 36% vs. 54. 44% ; χ2 = 15. 613, P < 0. 001), smoking (35. 71% vs. 18. 89% ; χ2 = 6. 974, P = 0. 008), alcohol consumption (25. 89% vs. 10. 00% ; χ2 = 8. 253, P = 0. 004), posterior circulation vascular stenosis (54. 46% vs. 24. 44% ; χ2 = 18. 578, P < 0. 001), and vertebral artery tortuosity (71. 43% vs. 48. 89% ; χ2 = 10. 695, P = 0. 001), as well as the levels of the total cholesterol (4. 96 ± 1. 26 mmol/L vs. 4. 61 ± 1. 04 mmol/L; t = - 2. 110, P = 0. 036 ), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3. 02 ± 0. 90 mmol/L vs. 2. 69 ± 0. 78 mmol/L; t = - 2. 671, P = 0. 008 ), and fibrinogen (3. 67 ± 1. 69 mg/L vs. 3. 25 ± 0. 97 mg/L; t = - 2. 002, P = 0. 047) in the PCI group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The proportion of bilateral vertebral artery tortuosity in the PCI group was significantly higher that in the control group (30. 36% vs. 12. 22% ; χ2 = 9. 478, P =0. 002). The proportion of grade 3 vertebral artery tortuosity in the PCI group was significantly higher than that in the control group (43. 75% vs. 26. 67% ; χ2 = 6. 310, P = 0. 012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (odds ratio [OR] 2. 339, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1. 037-5. 278; P =0. 041), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 1. 580,95% CI 1. 050-2. 377; P = 0. 028), hypertension (OR 2. 631, 95% CI 1. 237-5. 596; P = 0. 012), posterior circulation vascular stenosis (OR 3. 419, 95% CI 1. 638-7. 134; P = 0. 001), and vertebral artery tortuosity (OR 2. 413, 95% CI 1. 212-4. 803; P = 0. 012) were the independent risk factors for PCI. Conclusion The vertebral artery tortuosity is an independent risk factor for PCI in the middle-aged and elderly people.

Objective Color doppler ultrasonography of chronic Keshan disease (CKD) was evaluated to provide evidences for clinic diagnosis of the disease. Methods From September to Novermber 2009, according to "Diagnostic criteria of Keshan disease" (GB 17021-1997), 64 cases of CKD were randomly sampled from five Keshan diseased districts in Shandong province, Zoucheng, Sishui, Yishui, Wulian, Jvxian, and Pingyi as patient group. Thirty four healthy volunteers being checked up by Shandong Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Research were put in control group. All the subjects were examined with Color doppler ultrasonography. The indexes of cardiac structure, left ventricular (LV) systolic function and LV diastolic function were measured.Results Left atrial internal diameter, LV end-diastolic internal diameter, LV end-systolic internal diameter, right ventricular diameter, aorta diameter, right atrial transverse diameter, right atrial long diameter and left ventricle mass of the patient group[(35.38 ± 6.89), (61.57 ± 8.61), (45.39 ± 10.29), (17.22 ± 3.79), (28.69 ± 2.81),(38.00 ± 6.05), (42.68 ± 8.65)mm, (283.22 ± 103.12)g] were higher than that of control group[(26.70 ± 3.27),(45.41 ± 4.93), (26.91 ± 4.35), (13.76 ± 2.27), (24.09 ± 2.89), (31.50 ± 3.32), (35.82 ± 3.14) mm, (156.03 ±39.86)g, t = 6.93, 10.09, 9.98, 4.87, 7.64, 5.81, 4.46, 6.90, all P＜ 0.05]. The LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening of the left ventricular of the patient group[(49.25 ± 14.33)%, (26.11 ± 9.17)%] were lower than that of control group[(73.88 ± 4.04)%, (42.88 ± 3.62)%, t = - 9.79, - 10.22, all P＜ 0.05]. Diffuse hypokinetic motion of the left ventricle reduced in 95% (61/64) of CKD patients, and 5% (3/64) of CKD patients had segmental LV dyskinesia. Seventy five per sent(48/64) of the patients accompanied with mitral regurgitation, and 39% (26/64) of these cases accompanied with tricuspid regurgitation. Meaningful Mitral or tricuspid regurgitation was not found out in control group. Conclusions The CKD patients' bore of atrio-ventricular cavity and LV mass are enlarged, and their motion of ventricle is reduced or partly reduced. They have poor heart function. Mitral regurgitation are more than tricuspid regurgitation. Color doppler Ultrasonography is important in diagnosis of chronic Keshan discase.

Objective To investigate the daily total fluoride intake in relating to the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in two villages in Jiangsu Province,in order to provide the scientific evidences for the control and prevention of endemic fluorosis.Methods Adults sampled from a high-fluoride Village,Wamiao,and a low-fluoride Village,Xinhuai,were surveyed in this study according to the fluoride concentration in their household shallow well.The average daily total fluoride intake from difierent sources and the skeletal fluorosis were investigated in each subject.Then the subjects from two villages were allocated into five subgroups(＜2.00,2.00～,3.00～,4.00～,≥5.00 mg/d),the relation fluoride intake and prevalence of osteofluorosis was analyzed.Results The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in Wamiao Village was 31.06%(41/132),but no skeletal fluorosis case(0/35)was found in Xinhuai Village.According to the daily total fluoride intake,subjects with higher daily total fluoride intake tended to associated with a higher prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in a significant dose-response relationship(regression equation:y=2.624-6.855x+3.424x2:r=0.997).The benchmark dose lower limitation of daily total fluoride intake with 95% confidencewas 2.50 mg/d calculated according to this dose-response relationship,the reference dose(RfD)was 2.50 mg/d.In Wamiao Village a significant difference was also found between daily total fluoride intake in 41 subjects[(5.09±1.20)mg/d]with X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis and in 91 subjects[(3.08±1.12)mg/d]without X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis(t=-9.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions These findings indicate that the daily total fluoride intake has a significant dose-response relationship with the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in an endemic fluorosis area associated with high-fluoride drinking water;and the RfD in this study was lower than that in the national standard of"Chinese hygienic standard for daily total fluoride intake(WS/T 87-1996)"(3.50 mg/d).

OBJECTIVETo observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.

METHODSBy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).

RESULTSUnder R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONNeeding at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tumor metastasis-related gene TMSG-1 overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of a highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression plasmids containing full-length TMSG-1 cDNAs were stably transfected into the highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8. Clones highly expressing TMSG-1 were identified by RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis after G418 screening. The cell proliferation was detected by cell growth curve, MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay. The invasive potential of tumor cells in vitro was tested by Matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTSThree TMSG-1 overexpression clones were selected. Cell growth curve and MTT assay showed that TMSG-1 overexpression clones exhibited a strong inhibition of proliferation compared with that of the parental cells or those transfected with vector alone from the third day of culture (P <0.05). In vitro analysis also showed that the TMSG-1 transfected clones exhibited a decreased clonogenicity in soft agar compared with that of the parental cells or those transfected with vector only (P < 0.05). TMSG-1 expression significantly suppressed cell invasion in vitro of TMSG-1-transfected PC-3M-IE8 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe TMSG-1 protein may serve as a tumor metastasis suppressor due to inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion of the highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of the simplified gonadorelin stimulation test for precocious puberty.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-two girls with signs of advanced breast development received the gonadorelin stimulation test. According to the result of gonadorelin stimulation test, the girls were divided into 3 groups: 151 with central precocious puberty (CPP),119 with premature thelarche (PT) and 22 with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP).

RESULTSLH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in PPP group were not significantly different (P>0.05). Those were significantly different in PT group (P<0.01). The highest levels of LH were at 30 min and the highest levels of FSH were at 60 min. LH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in CPP group were significantly different (P<0.01) with the highest levels at 30 min. The ratio of basal LH and FSH >0.2 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 48.3 % and specificity of 69.7%. Taking the LH/FSH ratio >0.9 at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min as cut-off value, the diagnostic sensitivity was 80.1%, 68.9% and 38.4%, and the specificity was 90.8%, 96.6% and 69.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe LH/FSH ratio>0.9 at 15 min after gonadorelin stimulation test can be used as a cut-off value to differentiate CPP from PT and blood sample at 60 min were not necessary.

Child ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Puberty, Precocious ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To study whether the green fluorescent protein ( GFP) gene can be successfully expressed in green fluorescent nude mice and the tissue distribution characteristics.Methods Small animal imaging system and RT-PCR assay were used to detect the GFP tissue distribution and fluorescence expression level.Results The GFP can be expressed in multiple tissues in green fluorescent nude mice.A higher expression was observed in the pancreas, heart, brain, and skin.Conclusion Exogenous GFP can be stably expressed and inherited in green fluorescent nude mice, with the highest expression in the pancreas.

The selective removal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fibrinogen (Fib) by degraded carrageenan was studied by the present authors. Degraded carrageenan was prepared by acid with carrageenan as the main material. The effects of acid conditions on the molecular weight were investigated, and the proper reaction conditions were ascertained. The results of infrared spectrometry indicated that the degraded carrageenan is a heparin-like polysaccharide. Then the selective removal of LDL/Fibrinogen by degraded carrageenan was studied. When molecular weight was about 10,000, pH was 5.10 and the concentration of degraded carrageenan was 800 mg/L, the average reduction percentages were 60.0% for total cholesterol(TC), 79.4% for LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and 93.8% for fibrinogen. There were no significant changes with relation to the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total protein (TP). So, degraded carrageenan was shown to be of good selectivity on plasma LDL/Fibrinogen apheresis.
Carrageenan ; chemistry ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and expression level of death receptor 5 (DR5) on tumor cell surface.

METHODSAnti-DR5 mAb was used to detect expression level of DR5 on surface of tumor cells by flow cytometry. Sensitivity to apoptosis induced by TRAIL was determined by TRAIL apoptosis kit. The correlation between expression level of DR5 and sensitivity to TRAIL was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of DR5 on surface of tumor cells was approximately 97.9% in U937 cells, 95.1% in Jurkat cells, 93.8% in SW480 cells, 86.2% in HCT116 cells, 64.2% in HL-60 cells, 46.6% in HeLa cells and 13.1% in K562 cells, respectively. The apoptosis rate induced by TRAIL was 72.6% in U937 cells, 85.2% in Jurkat cells, 78.6% in SW480 cells, 70.2% in HCT116 cells, 60.1% in HL-60 cells, 45.4% in HeLa cells and 12.3% in K562 cells, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the expression level of DR5 with TRAIL-inducing apoptosis (r = 0.997, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONTRAIL-inducing apoptosis is related to the expression level of DR5 on surface of tumor cells. The results confirm the importance of DR5 expression for induction of apoptosis by TRAIL.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; immunology ; metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

OBJECTIVESince 2011 EB-APS conference, we hypotheses that phase switching of inspiration-expiration is dominantly initiated by oscillatory information PaO2, PaCO2 and [H+] via fast peripheral chemical receptors. However, the evidence of the waveform of ABG is lack.

METHODSSix surgery patients with normal heart function and negative Allen test, had been placed the arterial catheterization directly connected to 3 x 1 000 mm pre-heparin plastic pipe for continuous collecting arterial blood. We counted the number of heart beat for the blood collecting time, and separated the blood pipe into the heart beat numbers' short pieces using haemostatic forceps, then put pipe into iced water at once fir analyzing PaO2, PaCO2, pH and SaO2 as soon as possible. We selected two breaths cycles of waveform from each patient for data calculations of magnitudes and time interval.

RESULTSThe heart beat numbers for filling blood into pipe were 16 ± 2, and all covered more than 2 breathing cycles. Each breathing cycle is cover 5 ± 0.6 heart beat. There were significant changes of PaO2, PaCO2, [H+] a and SaO2 (i.e. the highest high values compare to the next lowest values, P < 0.05). The time interval of changing PaO2, PaCO2, [H+]a and SaO2 magnitudes were 11.28 ± 1.13 mmHg, 1.77 ± 0.89 mmHg, 1.14 ± 0.35 nmol/L and 0.52% ± 0.44% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis simple continuous beat-by-beat arterial blood sampling and ABG analyzing method is new and practicable. We obtain a clear evidence of periodic parameters ABG waveform, which following breathing cycle.

Arteries ; physiology ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Respiration