Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a commonly used technology in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure. It has higher resolution and repeatability, and more importantly, it can make the vascular structure visiable which shows the plaque morphology and component, compared with traditional coronary angiography. Most researches indicated that IVUS can help doctors find out the optimized stent size, stent malapposition,stent disexpansion,and procedure complication, thus reduce the incidence of restenosis and stent thrombosis. IVUS has been widely applied in research about the predictors of PCI complication, these results benefit us to make better decision on PCI procedure. In this article, we reviewed the studies based on IVUS technology during the last 10 years and summrized according to restenosiss and stent thrombosis with BMS (bare metal stent) and DES (drug eluting stent) .

The process of exercise regulating bone metabolism is complicated, which involves a number of signaling pathways. A large number of studies in vitro have indicated that mechanical stress regulates bone metabolism by Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) signaling pathways. Both the in-tensity and frequency of mechanical stress have varing impact on bone tissue and cells. Plenty of studies in vivo also have shown that exer-cise regulates bone metabolism by key factors in bone metabolism signaling pathways. This paper reviewed the effects of exercise on bone metabolism pathways and their mechanisms.

Objective To examine the effect of voice cues on nonfluent aphasia patients'performance in reading idioms.Methods Very familiar idioms were presented to aphasia patients on a computer screen either with or without an accompanying voice cue.The patients were asked to say the last two words of each idiom.The number of errors with the last two words of the idioms wag used to compare the patients'performance under the two conditions.Results The mean correct score was 9.46±13.08 when the idioms were presented without a voice cue,but 13.61±6.06 with the voice cue.The difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Voice cues can improve the speaking of familiar idioms for nonfluent aphasia patients.

Objective To analyze the changes of proportion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells in colonic mucosa and peripheral blood in pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its significance. Methods Twenty patients with UC were enrolled according to the criterion established in Jinan in 2007 and 16 patients were served as controls. The phenotypes of the colonic mucosa and peripheral blood were analysis by using flow cytometry. The variation of proportion of Th1/Th2/Th17 in colonic lamina propria mononuclear cells (cLPMCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were compared between two groups. Results The proportion of Th17 cell in cLPMCs was increased in UC group compared with controls [3.75% (6.93%)vs. 1.25 (3.70%), P<0.05], whereas it was 1.40%(2.15%) in UC group and 0.70%(0.33%) in controls in PBMCs with significant difference (P<0.05). The proportion of Th17 cell in cLPMCs was positively correlated with clinical parameters of the disease (r=0.34, P<0.05). No difference was found in proportion of Th1 or Th2 cells in cLPMCs or PBMCs between UC group and controls. Conclusions Among three helper T cells, Th17 cell in UC patients is predominant both in colonic mucosa and peripheral blood, which can be used as an effective target for treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestation of hMPV in infants and young chil-dren presented with acute respiratory tract infection and to identify the molecular character. Methods Na-sopharyngeal aspirates were taken from 310 hospitalized pediatric patients from February to May in 2006, March to April in 2008, and September 2008 to February 2009, and the N gene fragments of hMPV were de-tected by nested PCR amplification. Phylogenetic analysis of 17 strains hMPV N genes was performed. The clinical materials of patients were collected and analyzed. All hMPV-positive samples were examined by multi-PCR for other respiratory viruses. Results Of 310 pediatric patients, 20 (6.5%) were positive for hMPV. The median age of hMPV infected children was 15.0 months(from 16 days to 9 years old), 90% (18/20)of the cases were under 2 years, and 60% were male. Phylogenetic analysis of 17 N gene fragments showed that 11 hMPV strains were A2b subtype. 20 hMPV-positive children were subjected to pneumonia, accounting for 7.1% (20/282) among all pneumonia subjects in this study. The common clinical manifesta-tions of hMPV infected patients were cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and fever. 35% (7/20) needed intensive care, 15% (3/20) were given oxygen therapy. The median length of hospital stay was (11.9 ±4.8) d. No significant seasonal distribution of hMPV was displayed. Two patients were coinfected with ade-novirus and rhinovirus respectively. Conclusion hMPV was an important respiratory pathogen in young children subjected to pneumonia in Tianjin. Three subtypes(A2a/A2b, B1, B2) were prevalent in Tianjin, and A2b was the predominant subtype. No significant difference of clinical characters was observed between A and B type hMPV infected patients.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the ingestion of a herbal supplement called Rhodiola-Gingko Capsule (RGC) would enhance the endurance performance of healthy volunteers and change relevant hormones in a favorable manner.

METHODSSeventy healthy male volunteers (age ranges from 18 to 22 years old) were randomly assigned to RGC group (35 cases, each capsule containing 270 mg herbal extracts, 4 capsules per day) or placebo group (35 cases, equivalent placebo preparation) for 7 weeks using computer produced digital random method. The endurance performance, serum testosterone and cortisol levels were measured at the baseline and the endpoint.

RESULTSSixty-seven subjects (34 in the RGC group and 33 in the placebo group) completed a 7-week treatment. The RGC group displayed a significantly greater baseline-to endpoint increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) than placebo group in both absolute (P=0.020) and relative values (P=0.023). At the endpoint, the serum cortisol level was unchanged in the RGC group compared with the baseline, but it was significantly elevated in the placebo group (P<0.05). The endpoint ratio of testosterone to cortisol, a surrogate for overtraining and fatigue in endurance exercises, was also indifferent compared with the baseline in the RGC group, but significantly decreased in the placebo group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined herbal supplement of Rhodiola and Gingko could improve the endurance performance by increasing oxygen consumption and protecting against fatigue.

Adolescent ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Oxygen Consumption ; drug effects ; Physical Endurance ; drug effects ; Placebos ; Rhodiola ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the event and cause of vaccine derived polio virus (VDPV) circle happened at Yaoshang Village, Wanlan Township, Zhenfeng County, Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou Province in August 2004.

METHODSVirus isolation was performed for stool specimens collected from two children cases with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) reported at Yaoshang Village and 21 normal children under five years old in the same village. And, routine immunization coverage at the Village and AFP incidence and performance of AFP surveillance system in Zhenfeng County were investigated, as well.

RESULTSVaccine derived polio virus 1 (VDPV1) was identified in the feces of two affected children at Yaoshang Village and three other normal children at the same village. Totally, seven cases of AFP have been underreported in Zhenfeng County since 2002. Routine immunization coverage was rather low at Wanlan Township, and nearly nil at Yaoshang Village.

CONCLUSIONSOral polio vaccine (OPV) with attenuated live virus has been used in China for many years to prevent polio. Circulation of VDPV in Zhenfeng County issues a new challenge to eradication of polio. It is necessary to strengthen routine immunization and AFP surveillance to prevent occurrence of VDPV event.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Feces ; virology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Poliomyelitis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology ; Poliovirus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated ; adverse effects ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETrace and toxic elements have great influences on the fetus growth during the pregnancy. The status of Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal and umbilical cord blood and influence factors were analyzed.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to April 2007, 130 pairs of maternal blood and cord blood in total were collected at the time of spontaneous delivery or cesarean section. At the same time, the development of newborn was measured immediately. The concentrations of elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the relationship of these elements between maternal and cord blood were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe median (microg/L) concentration of blood Pb, As, Cd, Mn and Zn in maternal blood were 64.32, 3.81, 0.84, 54.26 and 6312.50. And the median (microg/L) of those elements in cord blood were 35.72, 2.84, 0.32, 78.99 and 2250. The levels of Cd (r=0.341, P=0.000) and As (r=0.552, P=0.000) in maternal blood were positively correlated with the elements in the cord blood. From the questionnaire we conclude that the occupational hazardous factors and room decorated were the risk factors for the blood As and Zn levels. After multilinear regression analysis we also found mother weight, occupational hazardous factors and mother systolic pressure might affect the levels of blood Mn, Zn, As and Cd.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of these elements were affected by environmental and maternal factors. In this study, although the levels of all heavy metals in pregnant women were below those considered hazardous, however, they were still higher than those in the developed countries. The effects of heavy metals of maternal exposure on developing fetuses should deserve attention further.

Adult ; Arsenic ; blood ; Cadmium ; blood ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lead ; blood ; Male ; Manganese ; blood ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Zinc ; blood

OBJECTIVETo understand the effects of moderate lead poisoning on the hippocampus tissue of rabbits in juvenile stage.

METHODSSixteen 45-day-old male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group and lead-exposed group,8 for each group. Rabbits in the lead-exposed group were treated with 5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) lead acetate in their forage for 6 weeks to establish a moderate lead poisoning animal model. The blood lead levels and the lead contents in the hippocampus were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry respectively. Histopathology and ultra-microstructure in the hippocampus tissue were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The NR1, NR2A and NR2B protein expressions in the CA1 hippocampal region were analyzed through immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSCompared with those of blank group, the blood lead levels of lead-exposed group were significant increased, (428.63 +/- 9.46) vs (66.38+/-3.93) microg/L (t = 100.08, P<0.01); and lead contents of hippocampus was significantly increased, (44.57+/-2.03) vs (21.20+/-1.53) ng/g, (t = 26.05, P<0.01); the hippocampus wet weight were significant decreased, (0.735 +/-0.012) vs (0.808+/-0.010), (t =12.97, P<0.01); the coefficient of hippocampus wet weight, was (0.458 +/-0.004) vs (0.476+/-0.005), (t =7.87, P<0.01). The significant declines in both the positive rate of NR1 and NR2A in the CA1 hippocampal region for NR1: (37.44 +/- 2.05)% vs (41.81+/-2.50)% (t = 3.82, P<0.01) and for NR2A: 21.97+/-1.08 vs 25.48+/-1.30 (t =5.89, P<0.01) were also observed. With light microscope and electron microscope, the histopathology and ultra-microstructure of neuron and glial cell in the hippocampus tissue were changed.

CONCLUSIONThe impairment of hippocampus of rabbits in juvenile stage with chronic moderate lead poisoning were observed, and the histopathology and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor protein expressions in the hippocampus tissue were changed.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lead Poisoning ; metabolism ; Male ; Rabbits ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

Ras is best known for its ability to regulate cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Mutations in Ras are associated with the abnormal cell proliferation which can result in incidence of all human cancers. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a downstream effector of Ras and plays important roles in prognosis of tumors. Recently, evidence has gradually accumulated to demonstrate that there are other effectors between Ras and ERK, these proteins interact each other and constitute the thorough Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. The pathway has profound effects on incidence of esophageal carcinoma and clinical applications of some chemotherapeutic drugs targeting the pathway. Further understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway can be helpful for the development of efficient targeting therapeutic approaches which contribute to the treatment of esophageal cancer. In this article, roles of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in esophageal carcinoma as well as pharmacological targeting point in the pathway are reviewed.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; pathology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; ras Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism