AIM: To investigate the processing and HPLC fingerprint of Radix Scutellariae processed with wine,and to set up appropriate quanlity control standard. METHODS: chromatographic condition of HPLC-UV fingerprint consisted of Hypersil C_18 column(200 mm?5.0 mm,5 ?m),mixture of methanol,0.4% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient mode.Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was set at 277 nm. RESULTS: There were no evident differences among fingerprints of Radix Scutellariae that was normatively processed from the production areas. CONCLUSION: The process is feasible,and can be used to provide a basis for quanlity control of Radix Scutellariae.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and left ventricular geometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).Methods:Two hundred and twenty-one OSAS patients were enrolled consecutively from the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January to December 2019. According to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT), OSAS patients were divided into 4 groups based on the left ventricular geometry: 110 with normal geometry (NG group), 56 with concentric remodeling (CR group), 32 with concentric hypertrophy (CH group), and 23 with eccentric hypertrophy (EH group). The patients were examineel by echocardiography, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter, LVMI, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricle ejcetion fraction, E/A were collected. Age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), apnea hypopnea index (AHI), nocturnal lowest oxygen saturation (Lowest-SaO 2), nocturnal mean oxygen saturation (Mean-SaO 2), the percentage of the time that oxygen desaturation below 90%(T90), oxygen desaturation index(ODI), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), EAT thickness and the echocardiography parameters were compared among the four groups. The relationships between EAT thickness and the above-mentioned parameters and left ventricular geometry were analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regressions. Results:①The higher EAT thickness was found in the CH group [(0.50±0.09)cm] and EH group [(0.46±0.07)cm] compared with the NG group [(0.33±0.11)cm] and CR group [(0.36±0.15)cm] (all P<0.05). In addition, age, SBP, DBP, AHI, ODI, T90, LVMI, RWT and E/A ratio were all significantly different among the groups (all P<0.05). ②Univariate linear regression analysis showed that EAT thickness was positively correlated with age, SBP, DBP, AHI, TG, TC and LVMI, RWT, left ventricular geometry, and negatively correlated with Mean-SaO 2 and Lowest-SaO 2. ③Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that EAT thickness was independently correlated with AHI, TG, TC and left ventricular geometry. Conclusions:EAT is independently related to abnormal left ventricular geometry, suggesting that EAT may be involved in the process of left ventricular remodeling.

Mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of about 3 500 subjects derived from 17 studies of Himalayan highlanders (Tibetans, Sherpas, and Ladakhis) was compared with lowlanders (Chinese Han, Indian Tamils) lived in the Himalayas, and European climbers during Everest expeditions as well as Andean natives. The results found that Hb concentration in Himalayan highlanders was systemically lower than those reported for Andean natives and lowland immigrants. These comparative data demonstrated that a healthy native population may successfully reside at high altitude without a significant elevation in Hb, and the lower Hb levels of Himalayan highlanders than those of migrated lowlanders and Andean natives are an example of favourable adaptation over the generations. In addition, excessive polycythemia has frequently been used as a marker of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Altitude populations who have a higher Hb concentration also have a higher incidence of CMS. The low Hb in Himalayans suggested as showing adaptation over many generations in Tibetan stock. Recent work in Tibet, suggested that Tibetans there may have adapted to high altitude as a result of evolutionary pressure selecting for genes which give an advantage at altitude. All of the population genomic and statistical analysis indicated that EPAS1 and EGLN1 are mostly likely responsible for high altitude adaptation and closely related to low Hb concentration in Tibetans. These data supported the hypothesis that Himalayan highlanders have evolved a genetically different erythropoietic response to chronic hypoxia by virtue of their much longer exposure to high altitude.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Hemoglobins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases ; genetics ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo explore the procedures of dynamic infusion cavernosometry and cavernosography (DICC) and their application in the diagnosis and classification of venous erectile dysfunction (VED).

METHODSThis study included 103 ED patients, aged 20 to 43 years, highly suspected of VED, with disease courses of 4 months to 6 years. DICC was performed and analyses were made on the results, especially the parameters of flow-to-maintain (FTM) and pressure decay (PD) in the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSBased on the parameters of FTM and PD, 21 of the patients were normal, 5 were suspected of VED, 39 had mild VED, 25 had moderate VED, and 13 had severe VED. Penile subcutaneous hematoma was found in 4 of the patients, all recovered after 3 to 5 days, with no other complications.

CONCLUSIONDICC is a reliable, safe and minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and classification of VED.

Diagnostic Techniques, Urological ; adverse effects ; Hematoma ; etiology ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; classification ; diagnosis ; Male ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Veins

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in patients with ischemic stroke (IS).Methods A total of 596 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke underwent cerebrovascular and renal angiography at our hospital from January 2008 to March 2013.Renal artery stenosis was defined as at least one of renal artery narrowing ≥ 50％ of luminal diameter.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association of the clinical variables with ARAS.Results Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) was identified in 203 patients (34.1％),including 108 cases (18.5％) with arteriostenosis ≥ 50％.Extracranial arterial stenosis (ECAS) was identified in 250 patients (41.9％),including 149 cases (25.0％) with arteriostenosis ≥ 50％.The prevalence of ECAS was higher than that of ICAS(x2 =7.86,P ＜ 0.05).ARAS was identified in 77 patients (12.9％),and the prevalence of ARAS in patients with ECAS ≥50％ was higher than that in with ICAS ≥50％ (30.2 ％ vs.18.5％,x2 =4.52,P ＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the age≥ 60 y (OR:2.48,P ＜ 0.05) and ECAS ≥ 50％ (OR:5.37,P ＜ 0.05) were independent risk factors for prevalence of ARAS.Conclusion ARAS is a relatively common finding among patients with ischemic stroke,suggesting that renal angiography should be performed in elderly IS patients,especially for those combined with severe ECAS.

Objective To study the effects of health management on cardiovascular events in the elderly patients with hypertension. Methods A total of 182 elderly patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 61 ), pharmacologic therapy group (n = 61 ) or health management group ( n = 60). Serum biomarkers, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity ( baPWV ), and blood pressure were tested at baseline and after intervention. Results There were no differences between the 2 groups in clinical characteristics at baseline. The average following-up period was (21 ± 7 ) months. The improvement of systolic blood pressure ( t = 3.915, P = 0. 000 ), pulse pressure ( t = 3. 966, P = 0. 000), and baPWV ( t = 3. 093, P = 0. 002) in the health management group was more significant than the control group;the systolic blood pressure ( t = 2. 008, P= 0. 046 ) was bitterly improved than the pharmacologic therapy group. The accumulative survival rate of the health management group (96. 7% ) was higher than the control group (83.6%; x2 =5. 921 ,P =0. 015) ,similar to the pharmacologic therapy group (93.3%; x2 =2. 821,P=0.091 ). Decreased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and baPWV were protective factors. After adjusted by age and gender,the improvement of systolic blood pressure was found to be an independent protective factors ( RR = 0. 75, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion Health management in elderly patients with hypertension could more significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

ObjectiveTo study the effects of health management on elderly patients with metabolic syndrome and lower extremity arterial disease.Methods A total of 118 metabolic syndrome( MS ) patients with ankle-brachial index (ABI) ＜ 0.9 and no intermittent claudication were randomly assigned to the control group( n =60,receiving pharmacologic therapy ) or health management group ( n =58,receiving intensive health management + pharmacologic therapy).Blood pressure,ABI,total cholesterol (TC),and fasting blood glucose(FBS) were tested before and 12 after the intervention.Results Clinical data were comparable between the two groups at baseline.After 12-months' intervention,systolic blood pressure(SBP) and FBS in both groups were significantly decreased,especially in the health management group[SBP:(141 ± 10)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) vs(146±11) mm Hg,t =2.581,P=0.011; FBS:(5.32 ±1.33) mmol/L vs ( 5.92 ± 1.61 ) mmol/L,t =2.231,P =0.028].TC ( 5.51 ± 0.51 ) mmol/L vs ( 5.11 ± 0.49 ) mmol/L,(t=4.307,P=0.000) and ABI(0.77 ±0.17 vs 0.84 ±0.19,t=2.091,P=0.039) of the health management group were significantly improved at 12 months.Patients in the health management group also showed higher SF-36 scores than those in the control group( physical functioning:72.2 ± 12.4 vs 65.2 ±20.1,t =2.268,P =0.025 ; emotion:73.9 ± 18.0 vs 65.6 ± 21.1,t =2.295,P =0.023 ; mental health:63.9 ± 13.3vs 58.3 ± 12.5,t =2.358,P =0.020 ).Conclusion Compared with medication,health management and pharmacologic therapy could significantly improve clinical parameters and quality of life of elderly MS patients combined with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective To investigate the effects of the low-osmolar nonionic contrast media on renal function in elderly patients suffering from ischemic cerebral vascular disease and undergoing angiography.To study the incidence and risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).Methods 276 elderly patients who were going to receive selective cranial angiography and bilateral renal angiography were included.The 0.9 ％ sodium chloride (1 ml · kg-1 · h-1) was administered in all patients 6 hours before and 12 hours after contrast media administration.No patients suffered from obviously congestive heart failure.The levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) were measured 3 days before and at day 1,2,6 after the administration of contrast media respectively.Then creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) was calculated.Multivariate predictors of contrastinduced nephropathy were determined by logistic regression.Results Among the 276 patients,CIN occurred in 19 patients (6.9％),among whom 4 patients suffered from severe renal artery stenosis and received percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) at 1 week after undergoing angiography.The renal function in the other 15 cases with CIN were recovered to baseline 1evel 3 months after the use of contrast media.No patients underwent a maintenance hemodialysis.In the 19 patients with CIN,the levels of SUN and Scr were higher and Ccr was lower at day 1 and 2 after angiography than before the procedure (all P ＜ 0.05),but the parameters were decreased to preoperative level at day 6 after angiography (all P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that renal dysfunction,diabetes mellitus and severe renal artery stenosis were the major risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy.Conclusions Low-osmoiar nonionic contrast used in angiography is safe for elderly patients if adequately hydrated with 0.9 ％ sodium chloride.The clinical risk factors for CIN are renal dysfunction,diabetes mellitus and severe renal artery stenosis.

Objective To study the effects of health management on blood pressure and lifestyle of hypertensive outpatients.Methods A total of 319 hypertensive outpatients were randomly assigned to the control group (n =160) or the health management group (n =159).Pharmacologic therapy was given to the control group,while in the health management group,intensive health management combined with pharmacologic therapy was conducted.Blood pressure,height,body weight (BW),total cholesterol (TC),and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the participants were measured and compared at baseline and 12 months.Results There were no significant differences of clinical characteristics between two groups at baseline.After 12 months' intervention,more significant decrease of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure was found in the health management group (t values were 2.701 and 2.306,respectively;both P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences of body mass index (BMI) and serum TC levels between the control and the health management group (t values were 2.111 and 2.227,respectively ;P ＜ 0.05).After the intervention,two groups showed no significant difference in current cigarette smoking (x2=2.787,P ＞ 0.05).The participants in the health management group showed improved physical exercises,diet,and adherence to treatment at the end of the observation (x2 values were 59.459,52.018,6.321 and 5.392,respectively; all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with pharmacologic therapy,health management combined with pharmacologic therapy could significantly improve clinical parameters and life style of hypertensive patients.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in estimating if standard dose treatment is fit for the elderly patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.Methods.Comprehensive geriatric assessments including three assessments of activity of daily living,instrumental activity of daily living and comorbidity scoring according to Cumulative Illness Rating Score for Geriatrics were adopted to assess if standard dose treatment is fit for the elderly patients in our prospective study.Thirty seven patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma,aged ＞70 years were enrolled in the study,and grouped into fit,unfit and frail groups according to comprehensive geriatric assessment scoring and their age.The treatment protocolswere not determined by comprehensive geriatric assessment scores,but by clinical judgments made by clinicians based on their clinical experience and disease features.The clinically effective response and overall survival (OS) were analyzed in the three groups.Results According to CGA scores,patients were grouped into fit [21 cases (56.8％)],unfit [7 (18.9％)] and frail [9 (24.3％)].37 cases received 213 courses of treatment at average 5.76 courses per case.The overall response (complete / partial remission) rates were [85.7％(18/21) vs.28.6％ (2/7) vs.44.4％ (4/9),x2=9.69,P=0.008] and median survival times were (44 months vs.10 months vs.9 months;x2 =7.03,P=0.03) among fit,unfit and frail groups with statistically significant differences.Total effective rate (achieving all clinical targets) in fit group of 21 cases were 100 ％ (12/12)with receiving standard dose therapy,and 66.7％ of(6/9)with low dose therapy(P=0.06).Overall response rate(total/partial remission) [85.7％(18/21) vs.28.6％(2/7) vs.44.4％(4/9),x2=9.69,P=0.008] and median survival (44 months vs.10 months vs.9 months;x2 =7.03,P=0.03) amongfit,unfit and frail groups.In fit group,the two-year overall survival was higher in patients receiving standard dose treatment than receivingpalliativetreatment,with statistical significance [83.3 ％ (10/12) vs.33.3 ％ (3/9),P =0.032],without significant hematologic toxicity observed between the subgroups.Conclusions Comprehensive geriatric assessment can identify if elderly patients diffuse large B cell lymphoma can acquire a satisfactory curative effect from a standard dose treatment ofimmunochemotherapy.