OBJECTIVEWe aim to explore the central auditory nervous system (CANS) functioning in children with nonsyndromic cleft palates by analyzing the auditory evoked potentials and event-related potentials (ERP).

METHODSA total of 34 children with nonsyndromic cleft palates were recruited as subjects, and 27 normally developed children were selected as the normal controls. Auditory brainstem response (ABR), middle latency response (MLR), and mismatch negativity (MMN) of ERP were selected as indices to observe the function of CANS in children in both groups.

RESULTSAstatistically significant difference between the groups was obtainedin the MMN recording (F = 227.69, P < 0.01), whereas no significant group differences were obtained in the ABR and MLR results (P > 0.05). Children with nonsyndromic cleft palates showed diminished MMN responses compared with the normal controls, whereas ABR and MLR were within the normal range.

CONCLUSIONChildren with nonsyndromic cleft palates are at risk of central auditory discrimination dysfunction. The significant abnormal event-related potentials recorded in children with cleft palates suggest that the dysfunction of CANS maybe located at the cortical level and normal function of CANS was located at the brain stem and sub-cortical level.

Child ; Cleft Palate ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Humans ; Nervous System

OBJECTIVETo verify the existence and significance of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase/inhibitors of differentiation 1 (CASK/Id1) pathway in fibroblasts of human keloid.

METHODSImmunofluorescence laser was used to confirm CASK and Id1 protein expression and localization in fibroblasts of the keloid and normal skin. RT-PCR and Western-blot were adopted to analysis the CASK and Id1 expression and differences between keloid and normal skin fibroblasts. The natural combination of CASK and Id1 protein of keloid fibroblasts was tested by immunoprecipitation.

RESULTSCASK and Id1 protein expression were both found in fibroblast cells of keloid and normal skin under normal circumstances. Most of CASK and Id1 were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of fibroblasts. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of CASK mRNA in the keloid group was 0.658 +/- 0.024, which was lower than that in the normal control group (1.076 +/- 0.008, t = 11.159, P < 0.05). The expression of Id1 mRNA was 0.497 +/- 0.014, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.307 +/- 0.017, t = 15.148, P < 0.05). The results of Western-blot showed that the expression level for CASK protein in the keloid group was 0.057 +/- 0.006, which was lower than that in the normal control group (0.168 +/- 0.012, t = 13.524, P < 0.05); the expression of Id1 protein was 0.812 +/- 0.035, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.368 +/- 0.031, t = 16.356, P < 0.05). The results of immunoprecipitation showed that Id1 could be detected in the CASK precipitate, while CASK also could be detected in the Id1 precipitate. There was a natural binding of CASK and Id1 in keloid fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONCASK/Id1 signal pathway may be existed and involved in the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts, which is related with the occurrence of keloid.

Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To evaluate the dyssynchrony of left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain (2DS) and tissue velocity imaging (TVI).Methods Study population consisted of 37 dilated cardiomyopathy patients. High frame rate two-dimensional images were recorded from the left ventricular short-axis views at the levels of mitral annulus,papillary muscles and apex, and the apical four-chamber view, two-chamber view and long-axis of the left ventricle. The time to peak myocardial longitudinal systolic velocity was measured by TVI, 2DS was acquired to measure the time to peak radial strain in the short axis and the time to peak longitudinal strain inthe long axis,left ventricular synchronization index (△T) was defined as the difference of the time to peak value between anterior septum and posterior wall. Results △T measured by 2DS on the long axis and the short axis increased significantly compared with TVI(P<0.01) in the basal segment; 2DS on the short axis had a more significantly increased △T than TVI(P<0.01) in the middle segment. △T measured by 2DS on the short axis significantly increased in the basal and middle segment compared with 2DS on the long axis(P<0.05). Dyssynchrony eases and the detection rate of dyssynchrony measured by 2DS on the long axis were significantly higher than 2DS on the short axis and TVI(P<0.01). Dyssynchrony cases and the detection rate measured by 2DS on the short axis were higher than those measured by TVI, but the difference had no statistical significance. Conclusions The dyssynchrony detection rate measured by longitudinal strain of 2DS is significantly higher than TVI and radial strain.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of combination of Lumbrukinase Capsule (LC) and Probucol Tablet (PT) in treating cerebral infarction (CI) patients' unstable atheromatous plaque of the carotid artery.

METHODS150 patients were randomly assigned to the PT group and the LC group, 75 cases in each. Patients in the PT group took 0.5 g PT each time, twice daily. On the basis of PT, patients in the LC group also took 600 thousand U LC, thrice daily. The treatment course was 12 months for all. The serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, fibrinogen (FIB), and changes of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque were measured before treatment, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Meanwhile, adverse events were recorded.

RESULTSThe serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were all lower 6 months after treatment than before treatment in the two groups, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05). The serum level of HDL-C was higher 6 months after treatment than before treatment in the two groups, showing no statistical significance (P > 0.05). When compared with before treatment in the same group, the serum level of FIB significantly decreased after treatment. Besides, there was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the serum levels of blood lipids or FIB between 12-month treatment and 6-month treatment in the same group (P > 0.05). The plaque effective rate in the LC group was superior to that of the PT group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.01). During the treatment period, the occurrence of cerebrovascular event was lower in the LC group than in the PT group (P < 0.05). Partial patients in the two groups had gastric discomfort.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of LC and PT could prevent and treat arteriosclerosis, stabilize the plaque, effectively lower the occurrence of ischemic events. Its clinical application did not increase the risk of hemorrhage. It was safe and effective, worthy of spreading. It was necessary to further observe whether combination of LC and PT could increase side effects of the digestive tract.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Biological Products ; therapeutic use ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; drug therapy ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Materia Medica ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Oligochaeta ; enzymology ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Probucol ; therapeutic use ; Serine Endopeptidases ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the correlation among property, efficacy and target of herbal Chinese materia medica; To analyze the molecular mechanism of cold and heat property of Chinese materia medica; To provide references for explaination of microcosmic mechanism and scientific connotation of property of Chinese materia medica. Methods Recordings about property and efficacy of single medicine in 2015 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China were sorted out. According to Pharmacological Research of New Ideas and New Targets and Pharmacology, 509 kinds of herbal Chinese materia medica were selected. Relevant articles about property, efficacy, pharmacologic action, and target in CNKI and Chinese Academic Journal Database (Wanfang Data) were searched by computers. The target information was screened and standardized, and the database was constructed by using MySQL5.7.13. The correlation between the property, efficacy and the target of the herbal Chinese materia medica was studied by using the frequency analysis and correlation rule algorithm of R software platform 3.3.1. Results 509 kinds of herbal Chinese materia medica were selected, including 227 kinds of cold-property medicine, 106 kinds of neutural-property medicine and 176 kinds of hot-property medicine. According to the result of data mining, efficacy of cold-roperty medicine was quenching thirst, clearing liver and treating stranguriaetc. The target was transforming growth factor β2 and liver microsome, etc. The efficacy of hot-property medicine was warming the middle, releasing cold and dissolving lumps. The target was bone morphology protein 2, rheumatoid factor, etc. The efficacy of neutural-property medicine was clearing lungs, diminishing distension and increasing energy. The target was β-amyloid and prostaglandin E2 receptors. Conclusion There is certain correlation in property, efficacy and target in Chinese materia medica.

ObjectiveThis clinical study is aimed to investigate whether levetiracetam (LEV) can improve electrocorticogram (EEG) in epileptic children epilepsy patients with better clinical manifestation but abnormal EEG findings.MethodsTotally 39 children from our neurological clinic with partial or complex partial epilepsy seizure were included in present study and assigned equally into three groups receiving different treatment:control group,sodium valproate (VPA) group,and LEV group.Their clinical symptoms had been controlled for over one year by carbamazepine ( CBZ),but EEG results showed clearly abnormal.Epileptiform discharges were observed in routine EEG exams half a month before recruiting.After recruiting,they continued to receive CBZ alone (control group) or co-treated with VPA ( VPA group) or LEV (LEVgroup),respectively.Six months later,EEG was taken again and results were analyzed.ResultsImprovement rate were 9.1％ ( control group),23.1％ ( VPA group),and 66.7％ (LEV group),respectively;Overall statistical difference was reached among three groups ( P＜0.01 ) and between control group and LEV group( P＜0.012 5 ),but no statistical difference between control group and VPA group was reached ( P＞0.0125).ConclusionCo-treatment of LEV in child epilepsy patients receiving CBZ can significantly decrease abnormal EEG discharge frequency during interictal period.

Objective:To analyze the current development status, research hot-spots and development trends of county-level Chinese hospitals in China.Methods:By retrieving the papers of county-level Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Full-text Database (VIP), Wanfang and China Biomedical Database (SinoMed ) with CiteSpace 5.5.R2 software to draw maps of the author, institution and keyword and make analysis.Results:A total of 598 papers are included in this study, and the trend of publications shows an upward trend and then a downward trend. Researchers conduct research in the form of forming research teams. The research institutions are mainly medical colleges and scientific research institutions. The most frequently showed keyword is "medical reform". The keyword knowledge map shows that the research content mainly involves medical reform, problem analysis and countermeasures, economic operation efficiency, TCM service capability, data envelopment analysis and so on.Conclusions:The county-level TCM hospitals generally show sound development trend in China. The research trend is dominated by county-level TCM hospitals. Scale development has been transformed into the study of hospital operation efficiency. County-level TCM hospitals need to start from their own actual conditions, strengthen cooperation in the form of teams and strengthen academic cooperation among institutions, so as to realize the basic TCM services for ordinary people.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and computed tomography (CT) findings of tracheal glomus tumor (GT) in order to improve the understanding and diagnosis of tracheal GT.Methods:The clinical and CT imaging data of 2 patients with tracheal GT diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed retrospectively. The image characteristics based on previous reports were analyzed.Results:The clinical manifestations of trachea GT were dyspnea, chest tightness, hemoptysis, etc., which were easy to be misdiagnosed. The CT manifestations were spherical or nodular protrusions in the trachea cavity, with uneven edges, which can be lobulated. Cystic changes can be seen in the focus. After enhancement, it showed progressive filling and obvious enhancement, without deep infiltration and distant metastasis.Conclusions:Chest CT can accurately localize tracheal GT, provide its morphological size, blood supply, growth characteristics and other characteristics, accurately display the overall morphology of the lesion, and provide some help for the development of the surgical plan, and its definitive diagnosis still relies on pathological examination.

Objective: To investigate herpesvirus infection in early stage of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to explore the association between multiple herpesviruses infection and clinical characteristics in HSCT patients and its impact on post-transplant complications and prognosis. Methods: A total of 734 peripheral blood samples were collected from 90 patients undergoing HSCT in the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between February 2017 and August 2017. The peripheral blood specimens were obtained before and within 90 days after transplantation at different time points. Lab-Aid824 Nucleic Acid Extraction Mini Reagent was used to extract DNA and multiplex PCR assay was used to simultaneously detect 8 kinds of human herpesviruses from genomic DNA. The incidence of various herpesvirus infections, its correlation with clinical features and effects on post-transplant complications and prognosis were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up time was 192 (range: 35-308) days. Among the 90 patients before transplantation, the incidence of herpes virus infection was 35.6% (32/90), including 12.2% (11/90) with one herpes virus infection and 23.3% (21/90) with multiple viruses infection. The incidence of herpes virus infection after transplantation was 77.8% (70/90), including 20.0% (18/90) with one herpes virus infection and 57.8% (52/90) with multiple herpes virus infection. Among the 52 patients with multiple herpes viruses infection, 30 (57.7%) patients were infected by 2 kinds of viruses, 18 (34.6%) patients by 3 kinds of viruses and 4 (7.7%) patients by 4 kinds of viruses. There was a correlation between HHV-6 and HHV-7 herpesvirus infection (OR=13.880, Q=0.026). EBV infection was related to HHV-7 infection (OR=0.093, Q=0.044). The age of patients was correlated with the incidence of HHV-1 infection before transplantation. There were 24 patients in our study experienced clinical symptoms associated with viral infection. The main manifestations were hemorrhagic cystitis (HC), interstitial pneumonia, enteritis, viral encephalitis and fever of unknown origin. EBV infection was related to HLA incompatibility and the inconsistent of the ABO blood group and grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD after transplantation. HLA incompatibility and the unrelated donor and grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD were related to multiple viruses infection. Conclusion Multiple herpesviruses were common in patients undergoing HSCT, which were closely related to HLA mismatch, unrelated donor and grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD.

Objective To observe the mRNA and protein expression of thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in each trimester of pregnant and lactating Wistar rats.Methods Ninety-six SPFNAF Wistar rats (84 female and 12 male),weighting 220-260 g were involved.All female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to their body mass via the random number table method:control group,early pregnancy group (7 d),midpregnancy group (14 d),late pregnancy group (21 d),early lactation group (7 d),midlactation group (14 d) and late lactation group (21 d),12 rats in each group.The rats were fed with conventional feed and drank deionized water freely.Female rats of the last 6 groups were mated with male rats.Thyroids were collected on the 7 d,14 d and 21 d of their pregnancy and lactation,respectively.The mRNA expression levels of Tg and TPO were detected by quantitative real-time PCR,and the protein expression levels of Tg and TPO were detected by Western blotting.Results The expression levels of Tg mRNA in thyroid tissue in the control group,early,middle and late pregnancy and early,middle and late lactation (1.05 ± 0.01,3.20 ± 0.23,1.88 ± 0.12,2.69 ± 0.20,1.53 ± 0.19,2.37 ± 0.31,2.23 ± 0.12) were significantly different between groups (F =42.864,P ＜ 0.05),and those of pregnancy and lactation groups were higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of Tg protein were 0.15 ± 0.01,0.38 ± 0.01,0.32 ± 0.02,0.37 ± 0.01,0.21 ± 0.01,0.35 ± 0.01,0.44 ± 0.01,respectively.The differences between groups were statistically significant (F =232.250,P ＜ 0.05).And those of pregnancy and lactation groups were higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of TPO mRNA in thyroid tissue in the control group,early,middle and late pregnancy and early,middle and late lactation (0.57 ± 0.01,0.74 ± 0.03,0.78 ± 0.13,1.08 ± 0.10,0.98 ± 0.10,1.00 ± 0.07,0.76 ± 0.05) were significantly different between groups (F =15.448,P ＜ 0.05).And those of pregnancy and lactation groups were higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of TPO protein were 0.23 ± 0.01,0.41 ± 0.01,0.72 ± 0.02,0.78 ± 0.01,0.49 ± 0.01,0.52 ± 0.01,0.45 ± 0.02,respectively.The differences between groups were statistically significant (F =563.692,P ＜ 0.05).And those of pregnancy and lactation groups were higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The mRNA and protein expression levels of TPO and Tg have increased in pregnant and lactating rats.This performance may be raleted to thyroid hormone deficiency and mild hypothyroidism.