OBJECTIVETo observe electrophysiological changes of severe N-hexane neuropathy getting active therapies and discuss its prognosis.

METHODSA follow-up study involved 16 adult severe N-hexane neuropathy patients who got active therapies was performed. EMG in right muscle of thenar, tibial muscle, and vastus medialis, NCV in right median nerve, common peroneal nerve, and sural nerve were determined and analyzed before treatment and in the first, the third, the ninth, and the twenty-fourth month after treatment.

RESULTSThe electrophysiology in severe N-hexane neuropathy patients showed that the voluntary potential during muscle relaxation increased by 25.0%; the motor unit potential time limit prolonged by 20.8%, and the amplitude increased by 12.5%, and multiphasic wave increased by 16.5% during mild contraction; the raise decreased by 25.0% during strong contraction. In control group, the MCV, SCV, SNAP, DML, and CMAP of median nerve were (54.63 +/- 5.33) m/s, (59.25 +/- 6.45) m/s, (26.53 +/- 6.32) microV, (3.96 +/- 0.65)ms, and (9.89 +/- 2.30) mV respectively, the MCV, CMAP, DML of common peroneal nerve were (48.49 +/- 3.25) m/s, (5.47 +/- 1.77) mV, (5.20 +/- 1.27) ms respectively, and the SCV, SNAP of sural nerve were (63.21 +/- 9.30) m/s, (4.63 +/- 1.29) microV respectively. Severe N-hexane neuropathy patients presented significantly different abnormalities in the NCV and EMG (P < 0.01). The MCV, SCV, SNAP, DML, CMAP of median nerve were (46.00 +/- 4.32) m/s, (40.66 +/- 2.65) m/s, (7.98 +/- 1.05) microV, (4.28 +/- 0.63) ms, and (6.32 +/- 1.54) mV respectively. The MCV, CMAP, DML of common peroneal nerve were (48.49 +/- 3.25) m/s, (3.21 +/- 1.99) mV, (7.32 +/- 1.65) ms respectively. The SCV, SNAP of sural nerve were (36.48 +/- 5.20) m/s, (2.15 +/- 1.22) microV respectively. These parameters gradually recovered to normal levels in 24 months after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe electrophysiological abnormalities in severe N-hexane neuropathy patients can restore after treatment, and clinical prognosis is good.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Electromyography ; Female ; Hexanes ; poisoning ; Humans ; Neural Conduction ; Occupational Exposure ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVECentral obesity is considered to be a central component of metabolic syndrome. Waist circumference (WC) has been widely used as a simple indicator of central obesity. This study is aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of WC cut-off values for predicting metabolic risk factors in middle-aged Chinese.

METHODSThe study involved 923 subjects aged 40-65 years. The metabolic risk factors were defined according to the Chinese Joint Committee for Developing Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults. WC cut-off 85-90 cm and ⋝90 cm were used as cut-off values of central pre-obesity and central obesity in males, respectively, while WC 80-85 cm and ⋝85 cm were used as cut-off values of central pre-obesity and central obesity in females.

RESULTSFirst, WC values corresponding to body mass index (BMI) 24 kg/m2 and visceral fat area (VFA) 80 cm2 were 88.55 cm and 88.51 cm in males, and 81.46 cm and 82.51 cm in females respectively. Second, receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the optimal WC cut-off of value was 88.75 cm in males, higher than that in females (81.75 cm). Third, the subjects with higher WC values were more likely to have accumulating metabolic risk factors. The prevalence of metabolic risk factors increased linearly and significantly in relation to WC levels.

CONCLUSIONWC cut-off values of central pre-/central obesity are optimal to predict multiple metabolic risk factors.

Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; physiopathology ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chuanhuang No.1 Recipe (CHR) on renal function and micro-inflammation in phase 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 phase 3 CKD patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (treated by CHR) and the control group (treated by Losartan Potassium), 30 in each group. All patients received basic treatment. Patients in the treatment group took CHR decoction, 400 mL each time, one dose per day, while those in the control group took Losartan Potassium, 50-100 mg per day. All medication lasted for 24 weeks. Changes of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum uric acid (UA), 24 h urinary protein excretion (24 h U-pro), urinary microalbumin (U-Alb), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and serum IL-6 were detected and compared before and after treatment. Efficacy was also compared.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, SCr and BUN significantly decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01); eGFR in- creased (P<0.05). Only UA obviously decreased in the control group (P<0.05), but with no obvious change in SCr, BUN, or eGFR. Compared with before treatment, 24 h U-pro decreased after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but with less decreased level when compared with the control group. U- Alb was also significantly decreased in the control group (P<0.01). There was statistical difference in 24 h U-pro and U-Alb between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, hs-CRP obviously decreased after treatment in the two groups, but serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 obviously decreased only in the treatment group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was obviously higher in the treatment group than in the control group (70.00% vs. 43.33%, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCHR could efficiently improve the renal function of phase 3 CKD patients and alleviate the micro-inflammation.

Adult ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Urea

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of triptolide on the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in HaCaT keratinocytes and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) of IFN-gamma signal transduction pathways in HaCaT cells.

METHODSHuman PBMC was induced by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-L) and HaCaT cells were stimulated by recombinant human IFN-gamma (rhIFN-gamma). The productions of IFN-gamma and IL-8 in cells were detected by ELISA. The expression of STAT1 and its phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSTriptolide inhibited the production of IFN-gamma in human PBMC induced by PHA-L in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was 5.96 x 10(-11) mol/L. IL-8 production in HaCaT cells induced by rhIFN-gamma in vitro was also inhibited by triptolide (P < 0.001) and the IC50 value was about 1.15 x 10(-13) mol/L. The expressions of phosphorylated STAT1 in HaCaT cells stimulated by rhIFN-gamma was inhibited by triptolide (P < 0.01) and the IC50 value was about 9.45 x 10(-11) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide can inhibit the production of IFN-gamma in human PBMC and downregulate IL-8 level in HaCaT keratinocytes induced by rhIFN-gamma. Triptolide can inhibit the phosphorylations of STAT1 of IFN-gamma signal pathway in HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hernia, Obturator ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; etiology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the imaging and hemodynamical features of pulmonary artery branches in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

METHODSCT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with ECG-gating was performed in 13 patients with clinical diagnosed COPD and 25 normal subjects. The thin-slice multiple plane reconstruction in systole and diastole phase was conducted, which in turn was used to generate the InSpace reconstructed images with reference frame of the main pulmonary artery and the first two grades branches, the contour of the branches was depicted. On the base of coordinates, the GAMBIT was used to generate nodes and furthermore meshes, then the software Fluent was used for numerical calculation and flow simulation. The velocity and pressure changes in the main pulmonary artery and the first two grades branches during different periods of cardiac cycle were observed in both groups.

RESULTCTPA showed that the diameter of the main pulmonary before bifurcate and proximal of the first two branches was larger in systole period than that in diastole period. The diameter of the second segmental artery of right upper lobe was larger during diastole period. The length of the main pulmonary and the first two branches showed no significant difference in both diastole and systole periods. There was no significant difference in length of pulmonary arteries between COPD and normal groups. The main pulmonary to distal right pulmonary artery appeared larger in diastole period. Compared with normal, in COPD group several arteries increased in diameter including proximal and distal of the proximal right pulmonary artery and the proximal right pulmonary artery during systole and diastole periods. In systole period only the diameter of the main pulmonary before bifurcate got larger and the back basic segmental artery of both lower lobe show smaller than normal. The flow condition analysis in COPD and normal groups suggested higher pressure in pulmonary arteries during systole period than that in diastole period, both groups showed high pressure area below the branching point. In COPD patients the right lower lobe artery endured the most significant pressure fall during the two periods and high pressure distributed larger area than normal. Flow velocity in main branch was faster than lower grade branches and that in systole period was faster than that in diastole period. The trend of diffusion of high pressure area was more prominent in diastole period than normal and the influence more prominent.

CONCLUSIONThe distal part of right pulmonary artery to lower lobe artery may be affected earlier when the pulmonary pressure increased. It is feasible to study the changes of flow condition in pulmonary artery branches though the combination of CTPA image and relevant software.

Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; physiopathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Background: The detection of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) autoantibodies is essential for the prediction and diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). The aim of the current study was to compare a newly developed electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-GAD65 antibody assay with the established radiobinding assay, and to explore whether the new assay could be used to define LADA more precisely. Methods: Serum samples were harvested from 141 patients with LADA, 95 with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and 99 with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and tested for GAD65 autoantibodies using both the radiobinding assay and ECL assay. A glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) competition assay was also performed to assess antibody affinity. Furthermore, the clinical features of these patients were compared. Results: Eighty-eight out of 141 serum samples (62.4%) from LADA patients were GAD65 antibody-positive by ECL assay. Compared with ECL-GAD65 antibody-negative patients, ECL-GAD65 antibody-positive patients were leaner (P<0.0001), had poorer β-cell function (P<0.05), and were more likely to have other diabetes-associated autoantibodies. The β-cell function of ECLGAD65 antibody-positive patients was similar to that of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, whereas ECL-GAD65 antibody-negative patients were more similar to type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Conclusion Patients with ECL-GAD65 antibody-negative share a similar phenotype with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, whereas patients with ECL-GAD65 antibody-positive resemble those with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Thus, the detection of GADA using ECL may help to identify the subtype of LADA.

Objective To study the influencing factors and understanding situation of Alzheimer' s disease among medical workers.Methods Totals of 200 staffs and nurses were randomly selected from three hospitals.Self-designed questionnaire and Alzheimer' s disease knowledge scale was used to measure the understanding situation of medical workers.Results The average score of ADKS was ( 60.20 ± 11.940 ),and the dimensions score was life influencing (80.83 ± 24.656),treatment and management (76.25 ± 24.137),course of disease ( 62.13± 23.508),risk factors ( 61.75± 21.708 ),assessment and diagnosis ( 61.63 ±23.090),symptom(51.50 ± 26.003 ),care ( 37.40 ± 20.081 ).And multiple linear regressions indicated that working,AD knowledge training,family members with AD/related obstacles,education back ground were the influencing factors of the ADKS score,and those factors were positively correlated with the score of ADKS.Conclusions The understanding situation of Alzheimer' s disease among medical staffs of three hospitals is poor.The scores of all aspects of Alzheimer' s disease knowledge are correlated with many factors,so we can take corresponding measures to improve the understanding of Alzheimer's disease among the medical workers.

To explore the efficacy and safety of high-dose of etoposide with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells, 10 patients with hematologic malignancies including 6 patients with multiple myeloma and 4 with non Hodgkin' s lymphoma received an etoposide dose of 1.6 g/m2. The total dose of undiluted etoposide was given on day 1 as a continuous intravenous infusion via a central vein for 10 hours. G-CSF 5 microg/kg was used on day 3 and given daily subcutaneously until leukopheresis was completed. The results showed that leukopheresis was started at days 11 (range 9-13 days) following etoposide therapy, the mean number of CD34+ cells collected in all 10 patients was 9.4 x 10(6)/kg (range 4.2 - 17.3 x 10(6)/kg), by an average of 2.6 leukophereses (range 1-4) times. Mobilization procedure that produced yields of greater than 4.0 x 10(6)/kg were achieved in every patient. Toxicity showed oropharyngeal mucositis, faucitis and urethritis respectively in 3 patients. It is concluded that high-dose etoposide with G-CSF is an effective and safe mobilizing regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem progenitor cells in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; blood ; therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Transplantation, Homologous

Objective To study the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on the proliferation of human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line TPC-1 in vitro. Method TPC-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of ursolic acid (control group:0μM, experimental group:3μM , 6μM, 12μM);MTT assay was used to observe the effect of the growth of TPC-1 cells on different concentrations of ursolic acid at the same time;Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by flow cytometry;The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA in TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by QRT-PCR;The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 protein in TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by Western blot. Results MTT assay showed that ursolic acid inhibited the proliferation of TPC-1 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h was 14.21 μM, 10.56 μM, 10.39 μM; Flow cytometry showed that ursolic acid inhibited the apoptosis of TPC-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and the growth of TPC-1 cells was arrested in S phase;QRT-PCR showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA were expressed in the control and experimental groups, ursolic acid inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in a concentration-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression of Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA;Western blot results showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 were expressed in the control and experimental groups, ursolic acid inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 protein in a concentration-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression of Bax protein and Caspase-9 protein. Conclusion Ursolic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human papillary thyroid TPC-1 cells, providing some ideas for the treatment of thyroid cancer.