Female ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Semicircular Canals ; surgery ; Vertigo ; etiology ; surgery

Objective To evaluate cerebral parenchymal atrophy of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD)through the compara-tive analysis of the volume and morphology of the brain ventricle between patients with AD and normal elderly.Methods 20 patients with AD and 20 normal elderly people were scanned at 3.0T MR,and lateral ventricle section images were achieved,and the lateral ventricle volume and the anterior horn,posterior horn and temporal horn of the lateral ventricle were calculated by analyzing the re-construction of section images with MIMICS software from Belgian.Results As compared with normal elderly group,the patients with AD exhibited significantly increased the volume of left ventricular volume(LV),right ventricular volume (RV)and total vol-ume (TV)(P<0.05).Angle of bilateral anterior horn and temporal horn but not posterior horn of the lateral ventricle in patients with AD were significantly higher than that in normal elderly (P<0.05).The volume of the left,right and total cerebral ventricle, the angle of the anterior horn of the left and right lateral ventricle and the angle of the temporal horn of the left and right lateral ven-tricle were negatively correlated with MMSE (P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with AD exhibites significantly greater volume and an-gle of the lateral ventricular than normal elderly people.These related data measured can predict brain parenchymal atrophy of pa-tients with AD more conveniently and accurately.

This study aimed to investigate the reconstruction of the thumb and finger extension function in patients with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus.From April 2010 to January 2015,we enrolled in this study 4 patients diagnosed with middle and lower trunk root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus via imaging tests,electrophysiological examinations,and clinical confirmation.Muscular branches of the radial nerve,which innervate the supinator in the forearm,were transposed to the posterior interosseous nerve to reconstruct the thumb and finger extension function.Electrophysiological findings and muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis,as well as the distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip,were monitored.All patients were followed up for 24 to 30 months,with an average of 27.5 months.Motor unit potentials (MUP) of the extensor digitorum communis appeared at an average of 3.8 months,while MUP of the extensor pollicis longus appeared at an average of 7 months.Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) appeared at an average of 9 months in the extensor digitorum communis,and 12 months in the extensor pollicis longus.Furthermore,the muscle strength of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum communis both reached grade Ⅲ at 21 months.Lastly,the average distance between the thumb tip and index finger tip was 8.8 cm at 21 months.In conclusion,for patients with middle and lower trunk injuries of the brachial plexus,transposition of the muscular branches of the radial nerve innervating the supinator to the posterior interosseous nerve for the reconstruction of thumb and finger extension function is practicable and feasible.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effective dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) for clearing maternally-transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) from a newborn.

METHODSFull-term neonates born to HBV-infected mothers were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in venous blood, Individuals with positive results within two hours after birth were selected for study, and divided among two treatment groups: research group receiving HBIG continually adjusted to quantitative levels of neonatal HBsAg and HBV DNA levels; control group receiving standard HBIG 200IU dose. All neonates were also treated with 10 micrograms of recombinant vaccine. The decreases in HBsAg and HBV DNA over 12 months were comparatively analyzed between the two treatment groups.

RESULTSThe two treatment groups (HBIG adjusted vs. standard) were statistically similar in Apgar score (9.38+/-0.49 vs. 9.37+/-0.48), neonate body weight (3458.67+/-374.93 vs. 3558.61+/-322.85 g), maternal age (26.33+/-3.63 vs. 25.33+/-3.03), and initial HBsAg and HBV DNA levels (rank sum test Z = 1.381, and Z = 0.700, respectively) (all, P more than 0.05). Successful clearance of HBV infection within 12 months was achieved in significantly more neonates in the HBIG adjusted therapy group than in the standard therapy group (82.8% vs. 57.4%; x2 = 9.696, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdjusting the neonatal HBIG dose according to HBsAg and HBV DNA levels can improve the success rate of clearing maternally-transmitted HBV.

DNA, Viral ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between HBeAg expression and HBV-DNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODS208 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in this present study. HBV-DNA in the PBMCs were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the serum HBV-DNA level being determined by the way of fluoresces quantities PCR (FQ-PCR). Meanwhile, HBV-GM was also detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThere were 106 patients for positivity in the HBV-DNA level of PBMCs with 102 for negativity, in which the HBV-DNA high levels (HBV DNA load > or = 1.0E5) in serum were 91.5%, 45.1% (chi2=52.12, P>0.01) respectively, with 76.4% and 50.9% (chi2=21.55, P>0.01) for the positive percentage of HBeAg expression.

CONCLUSIONA significantly positive correlation was found between HBV-DNA in PBMCs and serum HBV-DNA along with the positive percentage of HBeAg, indicating that obvious PBMCs' increase infected by HBV in patients with positivity of HBeAg and high level of serum HBV-DNA.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRadial artery (RA) occlusion (RAO) is not rare in patients undergoing coronary intervention by transradial approach (TRCI). Predictors of and prevention from RAO have not been systematically studied. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of the weakness of RA pulsation (RAP) and its predictive value for RAO after TRCI, and simultaneously to describe a feasible and effective approach to maintain RA patency.

METHODSBetween June 2006 and March 2010, all patients who underwent TRCI were classified according to the weakness of RAP after removing compression bandage with confirmation by Doppler ultrasound for the first 30 consecutive patients. Among a total of 2658 patients studied, 187 (7%) patients having a weaker RAP were prospectively monitored. At 1 h after bandage removal, the ulnar artery in puncture side of all patients was blocked with manual compression to favor brachial and collateral artery blood flow through the RA until a good RAP was restored. The primary analysis was the occurrence of RAO.

RESULTSDoppler ultrasound demonstrated the significant reduction of both systolic velocity (61.24 ± 3.95 cm/s vs. 72.31 ± 3.57 cm/s) and diastolic velocity (1.83 ± 0.32 cm/s vs. 17.77 ± 3.97 cm/s) in RA at access side as compared to the contralateral RA (all P < 0.001), but these velocities in ipsilateral ulnar artery (81.2 ± 2.16 cm/s and 13.1 ± 2.86 cm/s, respectively) increased profoundly. The average time of ulnar artery compression was 4.1 ± 1.2 h (ranged 2.5-6.5 h). There were two patients experienced persistent RAO with a success rate of 98.9% and RAO in 0.075% of patients after ulnar artery compression was applied. The pulsation of the ulnar artery after compression was removed had not been influenced by the compression.

CONCLUSIONSAfter intervention using TRCI approach, the presence of a weaker RAP is an indicator of imminent RAO. The continuing compression of ipsilateral ulnar artery is an effective approach to maintain RA patency.

Aged ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; prevention & control ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Female ; Hemostasis ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; Ulnar Artery

Objective To study the bone biomechanics of the rabbit osteoporosis models induced by dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (DX) using a combined treatment modality of 99Tc-MDP and GuKangLing.Methods Rabbits were intramuscularly injected with DX (2 mg/kg) twice a week for 6 weeks.The animal osteoporosis model group (Group C) and normal group (Group A) were compared to confirm the model was available.Another control group (Group B),the osteoporosis control group (Group D) were set for the comparison at the end of the experiment.The 99Tc-MDP therapy group (Group E),GuKangLing therapy group (Group F) and 99Tc-MDP plus GuKangLing therapy group (Group G) were included in the study.The treatment lasted for 16 weeks.The bone biomechanics,cytopathology bone histomorphology,bone mineral density (BMD),X-ray,CT,bone scintigraphy and serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)and P (bone gla protein) were chosen as the markers or methods to evaluate the treatment results (excellent,effective and invalid).The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used for group comparison analysis.Results Cytopathology result indicated that there was no bone trabecula destruction in Group A.However,there was distinct bone destruction in Group C.The bone biomechanics (left femur head (265.914 ±52.773) N,L4(369.671 ±94.919) N),BMD(left femur (0.238 ±0.016) g/cm2,L4(0.236 ±0.016) g/cm2)and bone histomorphology ( (66.230 ± 10.848) ％ ) in Group C reduced clearly as compared with Group A ((405.343±55.410) N,(750.870±53.718) N,(0.294±0.017) g/cm2,(0.302±0.023) g/cm2,( 131.500 ± 21.846) ％ ) ( t ≥4.550,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Radionuclide bone scan also showed that the uptake of tracers was higher by the main arthrosis in Group C than that in Group A.Vertebra was not clearly visualized on bone scan image.There were significant differences between Group A and Group C in serum BALP and P ((45.000±7.303) vs (12.485 ±1.512) U/L,(0.168±0.018) vs (0.115 ±0.017) μg/L,t =4.126,5.476,both P ＜ 0.01 ),which indicated that the animal osteoporosis model was available.The pathological results showed an improved recovery of bone structure and trabecular in Groups E and G,but a worse recovery in Group F.Biomechanics result in Groups E and G (left femur head (386.457 ±77.077) N and (432.771 ± 17.525) N,L4(649.550 ± 126.859) N and (655.443 ±76.555) N) improved apparently,which were similar to Group B.The radiotracer uptake in Group F was lower than that in group D.The bone biomechanics,bone histomorphology,BMD,serum BALP and P after the treatment showed significant differences in Groups E,F and G (F:8.556 - 31.608,all P＜0.01 ),and the bone biomechanics result in Group G was a little better than that in Group E (t =2.625,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of Group G and E were considered as excellent,and Group F was considered as effective.Conclusions The treatment of 99Tc-MDP combined with GuKangLing could improve the bone biomechanics of rabbit osteoporosis models and may be a potential method to increase the bone strength for resisting external force.

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. HGC-27 cells were employed to construct the stable GPR34 knockdown cell model in this study. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to validate the effect of short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) on the expression of GPR34 in HGC-27 gastric cells. The proliferation, migration of these cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell. We also measured expression profile of PI3K/PDK1/AKT and ERK using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe ShRNA directed against GPR34 effectively inhibited both endogenous mRNA and protein expression levels of GPR34, and significantly down-regulated the expression of PIK3CB (P < 0.01), PIK3CD (P < 0.01), PDK1 (P < 0.01), phosphorylation of PDK1 (P < 0.01), Akt (P < 0.01), and ERK (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GPR34 knockdown resulted in an obvious reduction in HGC-27 cancer cell proliferation and migration activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGPR34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro and provides a potential implication for therapy of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Lysophospholipid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of continuous hemofiltration (CH) on the prognosis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in elderly patients.

METHODSThirty-four elderly patients with MODS after AMI admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) were grouped into continuous hemofiltration (CH) group and non-CH (NCH) group. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHEII) scores and Marshall scores were assessed upon admission in ICU and 7 days after the admission. The mortality rates of the patients within 28 and 90 days after admission to ICU were calculated, and the changes in APACHEII scores and Marshall scores were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe APACHEII scores and Marshall scores showed no significant difference between the two upon admission to the ICU, but significantly decreased in CH group 7 days after the admission (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively). The APACHEII scores increased significantly in NCH group (P<0.01) 7 days after the admission while the Marshall scores remained unchanged (P>0.05). The overall mortality rates at 28 and 90 days were 41.18% and 61.76%, respectively. A significant difference was noted in the mortality rate at 28 days between the two groups (P<0.05), but not in the rate at 90 days (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCH can improve the organic functions and the short-term outcome of elderly patients with MODS after AMI, but has no positive effect on their long-term outcomes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; Humans ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; complications ; therapy ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; therapy ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper cells (Th1/Th2) in peripheral blood and their roles in the severity evaluation in children with asthma.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty children with asthma were classified into acute attack (94 cases) and remission (56 cases) groups according to their clinical features, and the acute attack children were subdivided into mild asthma (54 cases) and severe asthma (40 cases) groups. Fifty healthy children were enrolled as a control group. The levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg, CD4+IFN-γ+ Th1 and CD4+IL-4+ Th2 in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometer.

RESULTSThe mean levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in asthmatic children were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The Treg levels and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in the acute attack group were lower than those in the remission group and in the control group (P<0.01). The Treg levels in the severe asthma group were lower than those in the mild asthma group (P<0.01). There was a remarkably negative correlation between Treg levels and the asthma severity (r=-0.737, P<0.01), and the Th1/Th2 ratio was also negatively correlated with the asthma severity (r=-0.615, P<0.01). The Treg levels were positively correlated with the Th1/Th2 ratio (r=0.856, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe Treg levels decrease remarkably and Th subsets imbalance occurs in children with asthma. This suggests that Treg and Th immunity play important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. The Treg levels and the ratio of Th1/Th2 in peripheral blood may be useful in the evaluation of severity in children with asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology