Antigens, CD19 ; analysis ; Asthma ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Male ; Receptors, IgE ; analysis

BACKGROUND: It is indicated in a large amount of basic researches that compound danshen di wan has a certain action on removing carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAP), but there is lack of large sample data in randomized, controlled, multi-central clinical experiment.OBJECTIVE: To observe the removing action of compound danshen di wan on CAP, compared with aspirin.DESIGN: Multi-central, randomized controlled experiment was designed.SETTING: Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ultrasonic Department of Xinjing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Second Clinical Hospital, Xi' an Jiaotong University and Department of Cardiac Internal Medicine of Xi' an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 162 cases were selected from the clinic of Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Clinical Hospital, Xi' an Jiaotong University and Department of Cardiac Internal Medicine of Xi' an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2002 to 2004, aged varied from 40 to 80 years, the thickness of carotid internal media ≥ 1.2 mm. They were randomized into two groups, named danshen di wan group of 89 cases(cases of soft plaque and hard plaque were 49 and 40 respectively) and aspirin group of 73 cases(cases of soft plaque and hard plaque were 42 and 31 respectively).METHODS: In danshen di wan group: compound danshen di wan was administrated orally(10 pills/time, 3 times/day), in aspirin group, enteric soluble aspirin table was administrated orally(75 mg/time, once a day),continuously for 6 months. The alternations of thickness of carotid internal media were determined with ultrasonic B of high resolving power before and after treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in thickness of carotid internal media before and after treatment.RESULTS: By practical measuring analysis, 143 cases accomplished nation of thickness of carotid internal media in the patients with soft plaque:In danshen di wan group, the thickness was remarkably decreased after treatment[ (2. 12 ± 0. 34), (2.44± 0.40) mm, t = 4. 267, P ＜ 0.01 ] . In aspirin group, it was also reduced relatively after treatment[ (2.25 ± 0. 3),of carotid internal media in the patients with hard plaque: The changes were not significant no matter in danshen di wan group or aspirin group in the comparison before and after treatment[in danshen di wan group: (2.46 ±0.42),(2.34 ± 0. 40) mm; in aspirin group: (2.42 ± 0. 44), (2. 36 ± 0. 38) mm,P＞ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Compound danshen di wan acts on removing soft atherosclerotic plaque and its effect is similar to aspirin.

Objective: To analyze the information of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a single center during last 6 years, and to distinguish the clinical differences of patients between TakoSTubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 1042 consecutive patients with primarily diagnosed acute anterior ST-segment elevation (STEMI) admitted in our hospital from 2008-01 to 2014-04 were retrospectively enrolled. The relevant patients were studied in 2 groups:TTC group, the patients with coronary angiography (CAG) and the contrast study of left ventricle corrected TTC diagnosis, n=10, and STEMI group, the patients received CAG within 6 hours of on set with conifrmed left anterior descending singlevessel disease at the same period of time as TTC patients,n=32. The basic clinical characteristics, levels of blood lipids, MI related biomarkers, the incidence rate of pathological Q wave, QTc interval and negative T wave in 12-lead ECG were compared between 2 groups. Results: The percentage of corrected TTC diagnosis in patients with primarily diagnosed STEMI was 1.06%. The female gender in TTC group and STEMI group was 100% vs 9%,P<0.01, TTC group had more patients with stress history before on set than that in STEMI group (70% vs 22%,P=0.02), lower levels of MI related biomarkers as CK (486 ± 249) U/L vs (716 ± 132) U/L, CK-MB (13.5 ± 17.1) mg/L vs (47.5 ± 21.9) mg/L, cTnI (22.8 ± 16.3) ng/mL vs (56.4 ± 24.0) ng/mL, allP<0.01. The age of morbidity, the ratios of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and blood lipids were similar between 2 groups. The frequency of abnormal Q-wave in ECG was similar between 2 groups, while the QTc interval was different in TTC group and STEMI group (630 ± 117) ms vs (540 ± 62) ms,P=0.001, the negative T waves in ECG leads II, III, aVF, aVR and V6 were as (100.00% vs 3.13%), (60.00% vs 6.25%), (90.00% vs 3.13%), (100.00% vs 21.88%), (100.00% vs 46.88%), allP<0.05. Conclusion: TTC patients with the main presentation as ST-segment elevation are usually having emotional or physical stress before on set, with obviously prolonged QTc interval and more frequency of negative T waves in ECG.

Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Frizzled Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo prepare and determine the proportion of the components of lidocaine microemulsion.

METHODSPseudoternary phase diagrams of the prepared lidocaine microemulsion with different Km (surfactant/cosurfactant) were generated to determine the optimal Km according to the size of the microemulsion area. The diameter and its distribution range, viscosity, electric conductivity and refractivity of lidocaine microemulsion drop was determined, and the appearance and system type of the microemulsion was observed using electron microscope. RESULTS; Maximum microemulsion area in the pseudoternary phase diagrams was obtained with the Km of 3, and the drop size of the microemulsion averaged 29.8+/-14.4 nm (with up to 98% of the drop size ranging between 15.1-45.5 nm and 2% between 77.9-261.3 nm). At 25 degrees C, the viscosity, electric conductivity and refractivity of the microemulsion was 25 mPa.S, 130 micros/cm and 1.473, respectively, and the lidocaine microemulsion was identified to belong to O/W type. The microemulsion drop appeared in spherical shape of heterogeneous sizes in a multi-disperse system.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal proportion of the components in lidocaine microemulsion can be obtained by analyzing pseudoternary phase diagrams, and the drop size, distribution, shape and system type can be determined or observed through Maerwen Zetasizer combined with electron microscopic observation.

Emulsifying Agents ; chemical synthesis ; Emulsions ; Lidocaine ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry

INTRODUCTIONMinimally invasive surgical ablation is an emerging alternative method to catheter ablation and the full surgical maze procedure for nonpharmacologic treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We present a totally thoracoscopic "box lesion" radiofrequency ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF.

MATERIALS AND METHODSFrom June 2011 to October 2012, 14 patients with lone paroxysmal (n = 7) or persistent AF (n = 7) were enrolled in this study. Procedures were performed through 3 5-12 mm holes on each side of the chest wall. A bipolar ablation device was used to create a box lesion in the posterior wall of the left atrium that encircled the 4 pulmonary veins (achieving bilateral pulmonary vein/posterior left atrial wall isolation). Perioperative complications were recorded for all patients. Freedom from AF was assessed by 24-hour Holter monitoring every 3 months or during symptoms of arrhythmia.

RESULTSThe ablation was successfully performed in all patients, with median operation time of 128 minutes (range, 45 to 180 minutes). No operative mortality or morbidity were noted during the study period. Freedom from AF was achieved in 12 patients (85.7%) during follow-up (median follow-up 9 months). One patient with persistent AF was shifted to paroxysmal AF. No atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia was noted during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThese early results show that totally thoracoscopic surgical ablation using a unique "box lesion" procedure for persistent or paroxysmal AF is a feasible and effective method with good short-term results. Further study is necessary to validate this result.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracoscopy

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound qizhu granule (CQG) on cellular immunity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSTotally 103 CHB patients treated with lamivudin (LAM) for 6 months, who had partial virological response (HBeAg positive) were randomly assigned to two groups, 50 in the treatment group and 53 in the control group. All patients took LAM 100 mg (once a day) plus ADV 10 mg (once a day). Patients in the treatment group additionally took CQG, one dose per day. After one-year treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA negative rates, HBeAg seroconversion, levels of HBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), non-specific CTL and natural killing (NK) cells were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 1-year treatment, HBV DNA negative rate of the treatment group was 88: 0% in 44 cases, slightly higher than that of the control group (41 cases, 77.4%), but with no statistical difference (P >0.05). HBeAg seroconversion of the treatment group was 32.0% in 16 cases, higher than that of the control group (8 cases, 15.1%), with statistical difference (P <0.05). Levels of HBV specific CTL (0.79%±0. 07%), non-specific CTL (19.4%±1.8%) and NK cells (14. 1%± 1.5%) of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (0.58% ± 0.08%, 17.5% ± 1.7%, and 11.1%±1.5%, respectively; allP <0.01).

CONCLUSIONTreating CHB patients with partial virological response by ADV plus CQG could improve specific and non-specific cellular immunity, thereby elevating HBeAg seroconversion rate.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and risk factors for its transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan Yizu Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, China.

METHODSA community-based survey was conducted to investigate demographic characteristics, pattern and frequency of sharing injection equipment, and sexual behaviors in IDUs. Blood samples were also collected from them to detect for antibodies against HIV and syphilis.

RESULTSA total of 379 subjects were recruited with informed consent for study through community outreach and peer recruiting methods. Their prevalence of HIV infection was 11.3% (43/379). Ethnicity, frequency of sharing syringes and cotton swab during the past three months and syphilis infection associated with HIV infection by univariate analysis using chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed odds ratio of frequency of sharing syringes for HIV infection during the past three months was 2.28 (95% CI 1.18 - 4.43), and that for syphilis infection 3.10 (95% CI 1.48 - 6.48).

CONCLUSIONFrequency of sharing syringes during the past three months associated with syphilis and HIV infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Prevalence ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology

OBJECTIVETo prepare lidocaine nanoemulsion and investigate its transdermal delivery ability in vitro.

METHODSThe optimal Km (surfactant/cosurfactant) value and the component proportion were determined by pseudoternary phase diagrams combined with Origin software analysis. The diameter and distribution range were detected by Zeta particle size analysis instrument, and the morphology of the nanoemulsion was observed by electron microscope. The permeation flux of lidocaine was determined in vitro using the modified Franz diffusion cell combined with HPLC, and the cumulative transdermal absorption amount and the apparent skin transdermal velocity were compared among nanoemulsion, gel and tincture containing 5% lidocaine. The permeation mode of lidocaine nanoemulsion was analyzed.

RESULTSThe average drop size of lidocaine nanoemulsion was 29.8-/+14.4 nm, and 98% of the drop sizes ranged from 15.1 to 45.5 nm and 2% from 77.9 to 261.3 nm. The nanoemulsion drop showed a spherical morphology in a polydisperse system. The Kp value of the nanoemulsion (3.07-/+0.74 cm/h) was significantly higher than that of gel (1.27-/+0.35 cm/h) and tincture (0.97-/+0.18 cm/h), and the permeation rate of the nanoemulsion was 69.82-/+7.48 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), which fitted the the Zero-order release dynamic procedure.

CONCLUSIONSThe component proportion of lidocaine nanoemulsion can be conveniently obtained through pseudoternary phase diagrams and Origin software analysis, and the drop size, distribution, morphology and system type can be determined by Malvern Zetasizer combined with electron microscopy. The results also indicate that the nanoemulsion system with high permeation rate may provide a new promising means for local anesthesia.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Animals ; Emulsions ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Permeability ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects

Objective:To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus after different degrees of exhaustive exercise.Methods:A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=8),a model group (n=32) and a moxibustion group (n=32).According to the times of modeling or treatment,the model group was further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time model subgroup,a 4-time model subgroup,a 7-time model subgroup and a 10-time model subgroup (n=8);the moxibustion group was also further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time moxibustion subgroup,a 4-time moxibustion subgroup,a 7-time moxibustion subgroup and a 10-time moxibustion subgroup (n=8).Rats in both model and moxibustion subgroups were subjected to establishing the swimming exhaustive model.Rats in each moxibustion subgroup received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min immediately after modeling,once every other day.The concentration of malic dialdehyde (MDA),as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in rat's hippocampus in each group were detected 24 h after the exhaustive exercise.Results:Compared with the 1-time model subgroup,the exhaustive swimming time of rats was significantly prolonged in the 4-time model subgroup (P＜0.01),while it was significantly shortened in the 7-time and 10-time model subgroups (both P＜0.01).Compared with the matched model subgroup,the exhaustive swimming time of rats in the 7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups was significantly prolonged (both P＜0.01).Compared with the normal group,the MDA concentration was increased significantly (P＜0.01),and the activities stress response of SOD and T-AOC were increased in the 1-time model subgroup (both P＜0.05);the MDA concentration was increased (all P＜0.01),and the activities of SOD,GSH-Px and T-AOC were decreased differently (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) in the 4-time,7-time and 10-time model subgroups.Compared with the matched model subgroup,the concentration of MDA was significantly reduced (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the activities of SOD,GSH-Px and T-AOC were significantly increased in the 4-time,7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups (all P＜0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) can improve the fatigue status of the body after long-term exhaustive exercise by regulating free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus.To some extent,this provides an experimental basis for moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) against exercise-induced fatigue.