Objective To evaluate carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) and elasticity in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) using ultrasound radio-frequency data(RF-data) technology.Methods Twenty-seven PIH women(mean brachial blood pressure:108 mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)were included and thirty age- and gestational week-matched normal pregnant women served as controls.Carotid IMT and stiffness were evaluated using quality IMT(QIMT) and quantitative artery stiffness(QAS)techniques with color Doppler.Results Carotid IMT and elasticity parameters,including pulse wave velocity,pressure at T1,arterial augmented pressure(AP) and arterial augmented pressure index(AIx) were significantly higher in PIH group than in the normal group[IMT:(466.84±118.50)μm vs (386.58±125.79)μm;PWV:(7.09±1.97)m/s vs (5.95±1.11) m/s;PT1:(127.50±14.29) mm Hg vs (105.89±11.02)mm Hg;AP:(5.14±3.39) mm Hg vs (1.98±2.19)mm Hg;AIx:(7.58±8.73)% vs (-4.79±7.92)%)], and there were significant differences(t=2.660,2.660,3.460,3.460,3.460,all P＜0.01).Conclusions PIH women have significantly increased carotid IMT and decreased elasticity compared with normal pregnant women.Radio-frequency technique could reliably reflect the changes of the carotid arterial structure and elasticity in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Objective To explore the value of quantitative measurement of carotid intima-media thickness and elasticity for evaluating the degree of coronary heart disease by radio frequency ultrasonography. Methods From February 2011 to June 2012, a total of 142 subjects in cardiovascular internal medicine of the fourth military medical university Tangdu hospital with suspected CAD were enrolled in this study and were divided into non CAD group (n=35), atherosclerosis group in which coronary stenosis rate was less than 50%and no hemodynamic changes were detected (n=33), single artery involved group in which coronary stenosis rate was more than 50% (n=36) and multi-artery involved group in which coronary stenosis rate was more than 50%(n=38) based on the results of the coronary angiography (CAG). Measure the left common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and blood vessel elasticity index including the left common carotid artery pulse wave velocity (PWV) and stiffness index (β). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate and compare the degrees of coronary heart disease, area under the curve of the left carotid artery elasticity parameters, cut-off value,sensitivity, speciifcity and Youden's index. Results LIMT, LPWV and Lβhad statistical signiifcance differences among four groups (F=3.621, 4.769 and 4.756, all P<0.05). The maximum values of parameter area under ROC curve were all observed in multi-artery involved groups and were 0.759 (LIMT), 0.770 (LPWV) and 0.764 (Lβ). The maximum value of Youden's index of the left common carotid artery intima-media thickness was observed in the coronary atherosclerosis group and was 0.513. The maximum value of Youden's index of the left common carotid artery pulse wave velocity and stiffnessβwere both observed in the multi-artery involved group and were 0.524 and 0.469. For diagnosing multivessel lesions, the sensitivities of LIMT, LPWV and Lβwere 71.0%, 77.4%and 71.0%, and the speciifcities were 73.4%, 74.7%and 75.9%. Conclusions The carotid elastic parameters have better predictive value for multivessel lesions. LPWV and Lβhave higher predictive value for coronary arterial disease than LIMT.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of job burnout among nurses in level 2 and level 3 hospitals in Guangdong province. Methods A total of 2 066 first line nurses from 133 medical, surgical and intensive care units (ICU) of 23 level 2 and level 3 hospitals in Guangdong province were surveyed employing the questionnaire Hospital Nursing Human Resources Research during December 2013 to August 2014. Results In the multivariate logistic regression models, each additional doctor per nurse was associated with 1.34 times increase in the likelihood of high level of emotional exhaustion(EE). Nurses had a 57.4%higher risk of high level of EE when they worked overtime. Every one point increase in ancillary service score, and every one more year working as a nurse was associated with 5.4%, 2.3%increase in the likelihood of high level of EE, respectively. Nurses were 42.1%,40.9%more likely to exhibit high level of depersonalization(DP) when they worked in medical units or hospitals of level 3, compared with nurses of surgical units and hospitals of level 2. Nurses had a 29.5%higher risk of high level of DP when they worked overtime. Nurses holding higher positions had a lower likelihood(37.7%) of high level of reduced personal accomplishment(PA) compared with nurses holding lower positions. Nurses in medical units or ICUs had a 31.2%, 51.6%higher risk of high level of PA than nurses in surgical units, respectively. Conclusions Job burnout of nurses is at a quite high level in level 2 and level 3 hospitals in Guangdong province. The probability of the occurrence of burnout is related to the hospital, unit and nurse characteristics and nursing workloads.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian on the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of healthy people in resting state (R1) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSTotally 16 healthy subjects received structure scan of T1 and T2. Then two fMRI scans were conducted for each participant. fMRI included the resting-state scan (R1; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s), the stimulating-acupoint scan (AP; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s). fMRI data acquisition from structure scanning and function scanning were processed with format conversion and statistical analysis.

RESULTSUnder R1 state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals included bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. Under the AP state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals were bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and declivis. Compared with R1 state, obvious difference of ALFF signal areas of the brain caused by acupuncture at pericardium were: bilateral cuneus, precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right occipital lingual gyrus.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian could significantly change inherent activity states of the cerebral cortex, especially in bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, and precuneus.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Pericardium

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of amlodipine on the cytotoxicity induced by contrast media (meglumine diatrizoate) in human kidney cells (HKC). METHODS: An HKC line was used. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: a model group (diatrizoate 111g/L), a prevention group (diatrizoate 111g/L+amlodipine 10(-5)mol/L), an amlodipine control group (amlodipine 10(-5)mol/L), and a culture medium control group (simple none blood serum DMEM-F12 medium). Cytotoxicity induced by meglumine diatrizoate was analysed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) test, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, Hochest33258 fluorescence stained cytospins, and flow cytometric DNA analysis. The protein expression of Bax was determined by Western blot, and caspase-3 activity was examined by fluorometric method. RESULTS: In the prevention group, the cell viability increased significantly (P<0.05), LDH levels decreased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis was lower than that of the model group (P<0.05) .Bax protein expression and caspase 3 activity decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Amlodipine can inhibit the HKC apoptosis and protect the renal tubule cell from injury induced by meglumine diatrizoate.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Contrast Media ; toxicity ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; toxicity ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology

AIM To investigate the effects of Shenge Powder (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Gecko) on heart function in rats with heart failure by coarctation of abdominal aorta and its mechanism of action.METHODS The heart failure rats were fed with Shenge Powder [1.89 g/(kg · d)] or bisoprolol [1 mg/(kg · d)] for twelve weeks.The pathological morphology,hemodynamics,cardiographic index and effect on protein expression of PGC-1 α in sham operation group,model group,Shenge Powder group and Bisoprolol group were observed.RESULTS Compared with the model group,Shenge Powder increased ejection fraction (EF) (P ＜ 0.05),decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P ＜ 0.01),improved maximal rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dtmax) and maximal rate of left ventricular pressure decay (dp/dtmin) (P ＜ 0.01),reduced myocardial tissue lesions and myocardial fibrosis.There was no significant difference in PGC-1α protein expression between the Shenge Powder group and the model group.CONCLUSION Shenge Powder can improve left ventricular function in rats with heart failure,and reduce the pathological changes of myocardium tissue.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the clinical value of intraoperative ultrasonography for real-time guidance when performing microneurosurgical resection of small subcortical lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with small subcortical lesions were involved in this study. The pathological diagnoses were cavernous hemangioma in 25 cases, cerebral glioma in eight cases, abscess in eight cases, small inflammatory lesion in five cases, brain parasite infection in four cases and the presence of an intracranial foreign body in two cases. An ultrasonic probe was sterilized and lightly placed on the surface of the brain during the operation. The location, extent, characteristics and adjacent tissue of the lesion were observed by high frequency ultrasonography during the operation. RESULTS: All the lesions were located in the cortex and their mean size was 1.3 +/- 0.2 cm. Intraoperative ultrasonography accurately located all the small subcortical lesions, and so the neurosurgeon could provide appropriate treatment. Different lesion pathologies presented with different ultrasonic appearances. Cavernous hemangioma exhibited irregular shapes with distinct margins and it was mildly hyperechoic or hyperechoic. The majority of the cerebral gliomas displayed irregular shapes with indistinct margins, and they often showed cystic and solid mixed echoes. Postoperative imaging identified that the lesions had completely disappeared, and the original symptoms of all the patients were significantly alleviated. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ultrasonography can help accurately locate small subcortical lesions and it is helpful for selecting the proper approach and guiding thorough resection of these lesions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Diseases/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Brain Neoplasms/surgery/ultrasonography ; Female ; Glioma/surgery/ultrasonography ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System/surgery/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; *Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; *Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the enzyme linked immune spot test (ELISPOT) detected the cellular immune response induced by human Bocavirus (HBoV) VP2 virus-like particles (VLPs).

METHODSAfter immunized by HBoV VP2 VLPs, the specific cellular immune response in mice were detected by ELISPOT assay, observe the ELISPOT results at the conditions of different polypeptide stimulate, different cell culture time, different cell concentration and different specific stimulus peptide concentration, then screening the right ELISPOT experimental conditions and establish the ELISPOT method.

RESULTSThe spots induced by HBoV1 VLPs immunized mice spleen lymphocytes stimulate with polypeptide P3 (GYIPIENEL) and P5 (LYQMPFFLL)were 233 spots/10(6) cells and 157 spots/10(6) cells,spots induced by HBoV2 VLPs immunized mice spleen lymphocytes stimulate with polypeptide P8 (GYIPVIHEL) were 113 spots/10(6) cells; 24 hours is the best time for culture, at this time HBoV1 and HBoV2 groups specificity secretion IFN-gamma ratio were 232 spots/10(6) cells and 119/10(6) cells; Best concentration of mice spleen lymphocyte is 5 x 10(5), right now HBoV1 and HBoV2 group specificity secretion IFN-gamma ratio were 232 spots/10(6) cells and 108/10(6) cells; Best concentration of polypeptides is 10 microg/ml, HBoV1 and HBoV2 group specificity secretion IFN -gamma ratio were 233 spots/10(6) cells and 96/10(6) cells.

CONCLUSIONSHBoV1 and HBoV2 specificT-cell epitope in BABL/c mice were P3, P5 (HBoV1) and P8 (HBoV2). The best experiment condition were: cell cultivated for 24 h, cells concentration for 5 x 10(5) cells/well, stimulating polyperides concentration for 10 microg/ml, it can use to study the cellular immune induced by HBoV in mice.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay ; methods ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Human bocavirus ; immunology ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Virion ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the effect of intracarotid cold saline infusion (ICSI) on neurological outcomes in canines with cardiac arrest (CA) introduced by severe hypothermia.Methods Restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after hypothermic CA was induced in 10 Beagle dogs.These 10 dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups (5 each).Dogs in control group were rewarmed using warn water bath,and dogs in experimental group received the bath rewarming plus ICSI for 6 hours to maintain the brain temperature ＜36℃.In both groups,the Neurologic Disability Scores (NDS) were recorded at 24h after the ROSC,and their brains were removed for pathologic analysis using hematoxylin and eosin stain.The brain water content and sl00β of serum level were also measured.Results The water content (79.43％ ± 0.72％ vs.80.79％ ± 1.06％,P＜0.05) and serum level of s100β (119.83 ± 42.93pg/ml vs.329.82 ± 190.39pg/ml,P＜0.05) were significantly lower in experimental group than in the control group.Control group presented obvious pathological damage of the hippocampal pyramidal cells.There was no significant difference in NDS between the two groups.Conclusion ICSI could reduce the production of s100β and pathological brain damage in postarrest hypothermic canines.

Objective Throush identify biochemical characteristics and virulence factors of 2 strains suspected Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis)isolated from the dead Marmota himalayana(M.himalayana)to confirm the nature epidemic focus in Dege County,Sichuan Province.Methods Y.pestis was analyzed by specific staining and shape,culturing characteristics,splitting-test by bacteriophage,test of biochemical characteristics and glycolysis ability,virulence factors,virulence,nutritional requirement,plasmid,genetic test and genetic type. Results The tested strains were Gram staining bacilus.The main biochemical characteristics were Arabinose(+)、 Rhamnose(-),Maltose(+),Melibiose(-),Glycerol(+),Denitrification(+).The virulence factors with FI+.VW+, Pgm+,Pst I+;and with the common 6.0×106,45.0×106,65.0×106 plasmids,also with the virulence-relative plasmid gene.Both their absolutely lethal dose(LD100)in mice were 50 bacteria.The nutritional requirement appeared which were depended on Phenylalanine and Methionine.With the Genomovar 5 genotype characteristics of M.himalayana plague foci of Qinghai-Tibet plateau.The difference between tested strains and Yersinia pseudotubercuosis on the 3 different culture medium was obvious.The tested strains had a Y.pestis' specific 3a fragment,Pst I and FI-Ag,at 22 ℃,the strains could be split by bacteriophage completely.Conclusions According to the diagnostic criteria of plague in China,the 2 suspected strains isolated from Dege County,Sichuan Province ale confirmed as Y.pestis.both with powerful virulenceand with the characteristics of the Y.pestis of M.himahtyana in Qinghai-Tibet plateau plague natural focus.